India Women Create History as Shafali Verma’s Century Sparks Record-Breaking Asian Games Show

India Produce a Record-Breaking Asian Games Performance

India Women delivered one of their most dominant performances of the Asian Games 2026, defeating Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

The victory was built around an explosive batting display led by Shafali Verma, who became the first woman to score a century in the history of the Asian Games cricket competition. Her unbeaten 100 from just 49 balls helped India post 195/4 before the bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 81 in 15.4 overs.

Shafali Verma Makes Asian Games History

Shafali walked out with India looking to establish a strong platform and quickly turned the semi-final into a showcase of power hitting.

The opener reached her fifty at remarkable speed before continuing her assault during the second half of the innings. She eventually completed her maiden T20I century from 49 deliveries, finishing unbeaten on 100 with three fours and nine sixes.

The century made Shafali the first cricketer to score a hundred in the history of the women's cricket competition at the Asian Games. Her innings also equalled Harmanpreet Kaur's record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian woman, with both reaching the landmark in 49 balls.

India Hit a Women's T20I Record for Sixes

Shafali's nine sixes were a major part of India's attacking innings. India finished with 12 sixes in total, setting a new record for the most sixes by a team in a women's T20I innings.

Shafali's contribution also moved her past Harmanpreet Kaur's previous Indian record of eight sixes in a women's T20I innings. Her clean striking repeatedly put the Bangladesh bowlers under pressure.

Mandhana Adds Another Major Milestone

Shafali was not the only Indian batter to create history. Smriti Mandhana scored 37 from 19 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.

During her innings, Mandhana moved past New Zealand's Suzie Bates to become the highest run-scorer in women's T20I cricket. She reached 4,788 T20I runs, moving ahead of Bates' previous tally of 4,758.

Mandhana and Shafali also produced another strong opening partnership, adding 72 runs during the Powerplay before Mandhana was dismissed on the final delivery of the sixth over.

India Finish With 195/4

After Mandhana's departure, Shafali continued attacking alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The pair added 94 runs from just 55 deliveries to keep India's scoring rate high.

Harmanpreet contributed 40 from 33 balls, while Shafali remained at the crease until the end of the innings. India eventually reached 195/4 from their 20 overs.

The total was the second-highest in the history of the women's cricket competition at the Asian Games. Hong Kong's 202/4 against Mongolia in the 2023 edition remains the highest.

Bangladesh Struggle in the Chase

Bangladesh's chase never gained momentum as India's bowlers consistently found wickets. They lost two wickets early and were reduced to 39/3 by the end of the Powerplay.

Dilara Akter provided the strongest resistance with 27 from 23 deliveries, but Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships against India's varied bowling attack.

Nandani Sharma and Deepti Sharma were particularly effective, claiming three wickets each. Deepti finished with excellent figures of 3/7, while Nandani returned 3/25. Sree Charani also contributed two wickets for seven runs.

India Complete a 114-Run Victory

Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs, giving India a 114-run victory and securing their place in the Asian Games gold-medal match.

The margin was also India's biggest victory by runs against a full-member opponent in women's T20I cricket, adding another statistical milestone to an already record-filled contest.

A Series of Records in One Match

The semi-final produced several notable records in a single Indian performance. Shafali became the first woman to score an Asian Games century, India registered a women's T20I record 12 sixes and Mandhana moved to the top of the women's T20I run-scoring list.

Shafali's nine sixes also equalled the women's T20I record for most sixes in an individual innings. Her 100 not out further strengthened her position among India's leading short-format batters.

India Reach the Gold-Medal Match

The victory sent defending champions India into the gold-medal match, where they will face Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka reached the final after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in the other semi-final. Chamari Athapaththu led the successful chase with an unbeaten 83 from 50 balls, setting up another major contest between two of the leading teams in Asian women's cricket.

Another Final Against Sri Lanka

The India-Sri Lanka final also represents a repeat of the recent Women's Asia Cup final, where India defeated Sri Lanka to claim the continental title.

India will now look to complete their Asian Games campaign with another gold medal, while Sri Lanka will attempt to stop the defending champions and claim the top prize.

After a semi-final filled with individual and team records, India enter the final with considerable momentum and a batting line-up led by the in-form Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana.