Shafali Verma produced an extraordinary exhibition of power-hitting in the high-stakes tournament semi-final against Bangladesh, lighting up the stage with an unforgettable batting masterclass. In an innings filled with unbridled aggression and high drama that went right down to the final delivery, the explosive Indian opener etched her name into the history books with a historic milestone.

Shafali Verma creates Indian record with blistering hundred

Entering the match with clear intent, Shafali completely dismantled the Bangladesh bowling attack from the outset. Rather than relying on standard ground strokes, the young batter took the aerial route with fearless authority. In an innings defined by pure boundary-clearing ability, she struck just three fours alongside a staggering nine sixes, making her hitting preferences unmistakably clear to everyone watching.

The three-figure landmark was reached on the very last ball of the innings, completing a stunning century off just 49 deliveries. With this knock, she wrote her name alongside Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the fastest century by an Indian woman in T20 international cricket. Harmanpreet had set the benchmark with a 49-ball blitz against New Zealand at the 2018 T20 World Cup, and Shafali now shares that coveted national summit.

Flirtation With a Global Landmark

Remarkably, the milestone could have arrived even sooner. At one stage, Shafali was sitting on an ominous 95 runs off just 44 deliveries. With six balls remaining, she was within touching distance of shattering not just national records, but also threatening the fastest century in all of women’s T20 international cricket.

Bangladesh managed to restrict boundary access in the closing moments, forcing Shafali into taking five consecutive singles across the next five deliveries. Showing composure under mounting pressure, she held her nerve to take the crucial single on the final ball of the 20th over to secure a richly deserved hundred.

Maturity and All-Round Growth

This commanding knock underscores a remarkable evolution in Shafali’s game. Since facing omission from the national setup earlier in her career, she has returned looking like a completely refreshed cricketer. The trademark raw power remains intact, but it is now paired with tactical maturity, calculated risk-taking, and significant contributions with the ball.

Given her youthful age and boundary-clearing prowess, reaching this joint-record feels like only the beginning. With the kind of match-winning confidence and maturity she is displaying at the highest level, global records may not be far beyond her reach as her international journey unfolds.