Shafali Verma’s maiden century powers India into Asian Games women’s final vs Sri Lanka

Shafali Verma slammed her maiden T20I century to power India into the final of women's cricket event at the Asian Games.

Shafali Verma slammed her maiden T20I century to power India into the final of women's cricket event at the Asian Games.

Shafali Verma was unable to hide her emotions after producing a sensational century for India, with the batter taking off her helmet and soaking in the moment at the end of her remarkable innings. The emotion on her face said everything as she celebrated an innings that carried both personal significance and immense importance for her team.Shafali Verma turns on the power and brings up a magnificent hundred! Watch India vs Bangladesh semi-final match at the Asian Games 2026, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #AsianGames #AichiNagoya2026… pic.twitter.com/CuEynV9TNy— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 20, 2026 Shafali's Emotion Tells The StoryShafali brought up her century in style, but it was the moments immediately afterwards that caught the attention of fans and well-wishers. As she removed her helmet and raised her bat, the emotion was clearly visible on her face as she took in the magnitude of the achievement.The moment was even more significant given the road she had travelled to get back to the international spotlight. Shafali had found herself out of favour last year, missing out on India's plans for a period before fighting her way back into the reckoning during the Women's World Cup.Her return has since provided another chapter in a career that has already seen several highs and setbacks. Against that backdrop, reaching a maiden international century in such emphatic fashion carried added significance for the explosive opener.Medal Confirmed! Shafali Stars As India Rout Bangladesh, Set Up Asian Games 2026 Gold Medal Match With Sri Lanka Shafali's century was the centrepiece of India's innings, with the right-hander scoring 100 runs as India posted 195. Her aggressive approach once again showcased the attacking style that has made her one of the most explosive batters in women's cricket.Her unbeaten 100 off just 49 balls, featuring nine sixes and three fours, gave India the platform to post a formidable total before the bowlers completed a 114-run victory.The century ensured that the innings belonged to Shafali from start to finish. Her fearless strokeplay helped India reach the gold-medal match, while the emotional celebration provided a fitting end to a performance that marked another important moment in her comeback.

Reigning champions India stormed into the women’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 with a commanding 114-run victory over Bangladesh on Sunday. The result guaranteed India at least a silver medal and took the country’s medal tally at the continental showpiece to four.Shafali Verma was the star of the show, smashing her maiden T20I century to power India to 195/4 after they opted to bat first. The aggressive opener remained unbeaten on 100 off just 49 balls, with nine sixes and three fours, bringing up the landmark in the final over of India’s innings. ✌️A dominant 1⃣1⃣4⃣-run victory for #TeamIndia They are all set to face Sri Lanka next in the Gold Medal match ⏳Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/zMJKYRAVhE#AsianGames pic.twitter.com/ZIi2hTFv3A— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 20, 2026 Shafali received excellent support from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. The opening pair raced to 72 before Mandhana was dismissed for 37 by Nahida Akter, who had the Indian opener caught behind after inducing a false stroke.Mandhana still made history, moving past New Zealand great Suzie Bates to become the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is. India then lost Gunalan Kamalini for just three, but Shafali continued her assault on the Bangladesh bowlers.Harmanpreet joined her in the middle and played a crucial supporting role, scoring 40 off 33 balls. The pair added 94 runs from just 55 deliveries for the fourth wicket, ensuring India finished with a daunting total.Shafali Verma Lights Up Asian Games 2026 Semi-Final, Smashes Record Century In IND-W Vs BAN-W ClashBangladesh's chase never gathered momentum as India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Opener Dilara Akter offered some resistance with 27 off 23 balls, including four fours and a six, but four of Bangladesh’s top six batters were dismissed for single-digit scores.Nandani Sharma was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3/25 from four overs. She also came close to claiming a hat-trick in the 11th over as Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs.The victory set up a gold-medal clash with Sri Lanka on Tuesday, repeating the final from the previous Asian Games. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the other semifinal, while Bangladesh will meet Pakistan in the bronze-medal match.

Shafali Verma’s historic 100 off 49 balls powered India Women to 195/4 before their bowlers bundled Bangladesh out for 81 in 15.4 overs, sealing a 114-run win in the Asian Games 2026 semi-final. India booked a place in the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka, while Shafali became the first player to score a century in women’s Asian Games cricket.

Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop hailed Indian opener Shafali Verma for her maiden century in the women's Asian Games cricket semifinal