Shafali’s Maiden T20I Ton Propels India Into Gold Medal Clash

Shafali Verma chose the semi-final stage to produce the innings of her T20I career, a maiden century that carried India to a 114-run demolition of Bangladesh and set up a gold medal meeting with Sri Lanka.

The opener finished unbeaten on 100 from 49 deliveries, an innings that contained nine sixes and powered India to 195 for 4 at Korogi Sports Park. Bangladesh’s reply never threatened to get close. They were bowled out for 81 in 15.4 overs.

Tuesday’s final is a repeat of the 2023 gold medal clash in Hangzhou, where India came out on top.

Mandhana’s Record and a Blistering Start

India’s opening pair of Shafali and Smriti Mandhana piled up 72 runs inside the powerplay, a platform that placed Bangladesh’s bowlers under immediate strain. Mandhana fell to the last ball of that phase, slog-sweeping Nahida Akter to deep mid-wicket for 37, but not before surpassing Suzie Bates as the leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is. She also raised her 100th T20I six as India raced past fifty in the fifth over.

Shafali brought up her half-century with a six, which was also her 100th in the format. Harmanpreet Kaur began slowly, then caught up with a couple of boundaries off Nahida, who endured a torrid outing. The captain and Shafali tore into her during a 94-run partnership that took the game away from Bangladesh.

Late Resistances and a Century Off the Final Ball

India looked set to pass 200. Marufa Akter’s 15th over cost 22 runs as Shafali continued to dominate. But the scoring rate dipped when Harmanpreet was stumped off Rabeya Khan, shortly after the leggie dropped her off her own bowling. Marufa redeemed herself with expert yorkers and slower deliveries, removing Richa Ghosh. Shorna Akter conceded just four runs off her last four balls.

Shafali reached her hundred off the final delivery of the innings. The milestone had been coming for a batter who had already shown an appetite for the big occasion.

Bangladesh Overwhelmed

The chase was largely a procession. Only three Bangladesh batters reached double figures, and a third-wicket stand of 29 between Dilara Akter and Nigar Sultana was the only partnership of substance. Dilara counter-attacked the pacers, prompting Harmanpreet to spin. The move paid off immediately as Shree Charani dismissed Nigar.

Nandani Sharma celebrated her birthday with a wicket off her first ball, removing Juraiya Ferdous, while Kranti Gaud accounted for Sobhana Mostary. Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma also struck. Nandani then took two wickets in as many deliveries as Bangladesh slumped to seven down in the 11th over. Deepti added the final two wickets, wrapping up the innings inside 16 overs.

Barring a Shreyanka over that produced 15 runs, India did very little wrong. Deepti finished with 3 for 7, Nandani 3 for 25 and Shree Charani 2 for 7.

Brief scores: India Women 195/4 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 100*, Harmanpreet Kaur 40, Smriti Mandhana 37; Shanjida Akter Meghla 1-25) beat Bangladesh 81 all out in 15.4 overs (Dilara Akter 27; Deepti Sharma 3-7, Nandani Sharma 3-25, Shree Charani 2-7) by 114 runs.

                                               

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