India’s women’s cricket team stormed into the Asian Games gold-medal match after crushing Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-final in Nisshin on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Shafali Verma Creates Asian Games History
The thrilling victory was headlined by an extraordinary record-breaking century from opener Shafali Verma. The 22-year-old batter unleashed sheer explosive power, smashing an unbeaten 100 runs off just 49 deliveries to become the very first cricketer to register a century in the history of Asian Games women’s cricket. Her breathtaking knock was decorated with three crisp boundaries and nine colossal sixes, driving India to a formidable total of 195 for 4 after being sent in to bat first.
Verma’s 49-ball masterclass equalled Harmanpreet Kaur’s record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian woman, originally set against New Zealand in 2018. It stands as only the third century by an Indian in women’s T20Is, placing her alongside Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana. Additionally, her nine sixes equalled the world record for the most sixes hit in a single women’s T20I innings, sharing the honor with West Indian legends Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews. With this remarkable performance, Verma has now surpassed 800 T20I runs in the calendar year 2026.
Shafali Verma turns on the power and brings up a magnificent hundred!
Dominant Batting and Ruthless Bowling
Verma was in devastating touch from the outset, combining pristine timing with immense power. She brought up her fifty in just 26 balls before accelerating wildly, sealing her historic hundred with a magnificent six to receive a enthusiastic standing ovation. Strong top-order support backed her effort, as vice-captain Smriti Mandhana set the tone with a brisk 37 off 19 balls, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur added a fluent 40 off 33 deliveries.
Chasing 196, Bangladesh found no room to breathe against India’s disciplined bowling unit and were skittled out for 81 in 14.5 overs. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma produced an exceptionally tight spell, taking 3 for 7 in 2.4 overs, while Nandani Sharma also picked up three wickets to dismantle the opposition completely.
Gold Medal Clash Awaits on September 22
The emphatic win keeps India’s title defense firmly on track after winning gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. India will now face Sri Lanka in the gold-medal showdown on September 22 in Aichi-Nagoya. Sri Lanka earned their place in the final by chasing down Pakistan’s total of 177 for 4—which featured 71 from Ayesha Zafar and 54 from Shawaal Zulfiqar—reaching 178 for 2 in 17.5 overs thanks to an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls from captain Chamari Athapaththu. Pakistan and Bangladesh will compete for the bronze medal on the same day.
TL;DR
- Shafali Verma scored a record 49-ball century as India beat Bangladesh by 114 runs in the Asian Games semi-final.
- Verma became the first woman cricketer to hit a century in Asian Games history.
- Her nine sixes equalled the world record for most sixes in a women’s T20I innings.
- Deepti Sharma and Nandani Sharma bagged three wickets each to bowl out Bangladesh for 81 runs.
- India will meet Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match on September 22.
