A Stunning Innings from Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma played one of the best innings of her career on Sunday, scoring her first T20 International century to help India reach a strong total of 195 for four against Bangladesh in the Asian Games women’s cricket semi-final. The opening batter made an unbeaten 100 off just 49 balls. Her innings included nine sixes and three fours. This was her maiden T20I hundred in her 118th match for India. It was also only the fourth time an Indian batter has scored a century in T20 International cricket.
Opening Partnership Sets the Tone
Shafali was well supported by senior players Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. She and Mandhana opened the innings and put on 72 runs for the first wicket. Both batters attacked the Bangladeshi bowlers from the start. They matched each other stroke for stroke and gave the team a flying start. The bowlers had no answer to their aggressive approach.
Just as the powerplay was ending, Mandhana was dismissed. Nahida Akter bowled a delivery that Mandhana tried to hit hard, but she only managed to edge it behind. Sobhana Mostary took the catch. Mandhana scored 37 runs.
Harmanpreet and Shafali Build a Big Stand
After Mandhana’s wicket, India lost Gunalan Kamalini quickly. She scored just 3 runs off 10 balls. On a pitch where batting looked easy for others, Kamalini struggled to get going. But Shafali kept scoring at the other end. She cleared the boundary with ease and hit nine sixes. She hit only three fours. She had to wait until the final over of the innings to reach her century.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur played an important innings as well. She scored 40 runs off 33 balls and found the gaps with precision. Her partnership with Shafali was the key to India’s big total. The two added 94 runs off just 55 balls. That stand took the game away from Bangladesh.
Late Wickets Slow India Down
India looked set to score more than 200 runs. But they could not reach that mark because of a late stutter. Harmanpreet was stumped by Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana off the bowling of Rabeya Khan in the 18th over. After her dismissal, Richa Ghosh also fell cheaply for 2 runs. Those wickets stopped India’s momentum in the final overs. Still, the team managed to finish with a strong total of 195 for four. Shafali remained not out on 100 at the end of the innings.
A Historic Achievement for Shafali
This century is a major achievement for Shafali Verma. She has been one of India’s most explosive batters for several years. But she had never scored a T20I hundred until this match. To do it in a semi-final of the Asian Games makes it even more special. Her strike rate was outstanding. She scored 100 runs from just 49 balls. That is a strike rate of over 200. She hit nine sixes, which shows her power and ability to clear the boundary at will. This innings will be remembered as one of the best in women’s T20 cricket.
Deepti Sharma Cleans Up the Tail
Deepti Sharma was the most successful bowler for India. She took the important wicket of Dilara Akter, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 27 runs. Deepti then cleaned up the tail, finishing with figures of three wickets. Shree Charani also took two wickets, while Nandani Sharma and Shreyanka Patil took one each. Bangladesh were bowled out for 81 in 18.2 overs.
What This Means for India
India have now reached their second successive Asian Games final. They will face Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match on Tuesday. This is a repeat of the Asia Cup 2026 final, which India won. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the other semi-final. Bangladesh will play Pakistan for the bronze medal.
A Dominant Team Performance
This was a complete team performance from India. Shafali and Mandhana gave the team a great start with the bat. Harmanpreet contributed in the middle order. Then the bowlers, led by Deepti and Shree Charani, did the job with the ball. India have been the best team in this tournament, and they will be confident going into the final. The team will be hoping to defend their gold medal and continue their dominance in Asian women’s cricket.