Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana rewrote the record books as India beat Bangladesh by 114 runs in the 2026 Asian Games women’s cricket semi-final in Nisshin, Japan, on September 20. Verma smashed an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls her maiden T20I century and the first century in the history of women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Mandhana, meanwhile, scored 37 off 19 balls to become the highest run-scorer in women’s T20I cricket, surpassing New Zealand’s Suzie Bates’ tally of 4,758 runs. Mandhana also became the first Indian woman to hit 100 sixes in T20Is during the innings, before Verma overtook her by finishing with 104 career sixes. Their performances helped India post 195/4 before Bangladesh were bowled out for 81. India will now face Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match.
Verma Completes Long Wait
Verma’s century was the defining moment of the match. The 22-year-old opener reached three figures from 49 deliveries, striking three fours and nine sixes. She brought up the milestone from the final ball of India’s innings, taking a single before removing her helmet and raising her bat to an applauding Indian team. The hundred was Verma’s first in international cricket and made her the first cricketer male or female to score a century in Asian Games cricket.
The knock also underlined Verma’s aggressive six-hitting. Her nine sixes took her T20I tally beyond Mandhana’s and to 104, making her India’s leading six-hitter in women’s T20Is. She also moved to 35 sixes in 2026, the most by a player in a calendar year in women’s T20Is, surpassing Chamari Athapaththu’s previous mark of 32. Verma later reflected on the significance of finally reaching her first international hundred, saying, “It took a lot of years but finally it came, so I’m happy.”
Mandhana Sets Another Mark
Before Verma’s landmark finish, Mandhana had already created history of her own. Her 37 from 19 balls took her past Bates’ 4,758 runs, making her the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is. Mandhana finished the match with 4,788 runs from 171 innings, extending her lead at the top of the all-time list.
Mandhana also reached 100 sixes in women’s T20Is during her innings, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the milestone. The two milestones came in the same opening partnership, with Mandhana and Verma putting on 72 runs before Mandhana was dismissed. Verma then continued the assault, eventually becoming the first Indian woman to score a T20I century. Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop described Verma’s hundred as “due reward” after her strong run of form in T20 cricket.
Records Power India Forward
The record-breaking opening stand laid the foundation for India’s 195/4. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur added 40, while Verma remained unbeaten as India set Bangladesh a target of 196. Bangladesh’s chase never gathered momentum and they were dismissed for 81 in 15.4 overs, giving India a 114-run victory and a place in the Asian Games final.
The result means India will meet Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match after Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the other semi-final. For Verma, the century marked a major personal milestone after several strong performances in 2026, while Mandhana’s latest achievement added another record to an already extensive international career. Mandhana had earlier become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket across formats during the 2026 Asia Cup.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Records are often remembered as numbers, but performances such as these also reflect years of persistence, adaptation and opportunity in women’s sport. Verma’s first T20I century arrived after a long wait, while Mandhana’s record shows the consistency required to remain at the top of international cricket across years and formats.
Their achievements also offer a reminder that sporting progress is built not only through individual brilliance but through stronger pathways, competitive opportunities and sustained support for women athletes. As India prepare for the gold-medal match, which of the two milestones stood out most to you — Shafali Verma’s historic century or Smriti Mandhana becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is?
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