Asian Games 2026: India reaches the final with Shefali Verma’s century, defeats Bangladesh by 114 runs
EDITOR|Voice of Jalandhar
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In the Asian Games 2026, the Indian women's cricket team delivered a spectacular performance, beating Bangladesh by 114 runs to secure a place in the final.
The Indian women's cricket team secured a place in the final at the Asian Games 2026 by defeating Bangladesh by 114 runs with a spectacular performance. The defending champions, India, batted first in the semifinal and posted 195 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs. In response, the entire Bangladesh side was all‑out for 81 runs in 15.4 overs. With this win, India has guaranteed at least a silver medal.
The biggest star of India's victory was Shefali Verma. She played a blazing unbeaten 100 runs off just 49 balls. During her innings, Shefali struck 9 sixes and 3 fours. This is Shefali Verma’s first century in T20 International cricket.
Shefali Verma’s spectacular century at the Asian Games 2026
Having won the toss, the Indian team chose to bat first. Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opened the innings and put together a rapid 72‑run partnership for the first wicket. Both batters put pressure on the Bangladeshi bowlers in the early overs.
On the last ball of the powerplay, Smriti Mandhana was out for 37 runs. She attempted a big shot off Nahida Akhtar’s delivery, but Shobhna Mostari took the catch.
After that, Gunalan Kamalini came in to bat but could not stay at the crease for long. Kamalini made 3 runs off 10 balls.
Shefali and Harmanpreet’s 94‑run partnership
Despite losing a wicket at one end, Shefali Verma continued her aggressive approach. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur provided solid support. Together they forged a crucial 94‑run stand for the third wicket in 55 balls.
Harmanpreet Kaur scored 40 runs off 33 balls. Her innings played a key role in propelling the Indian side toward a big total. However, Harmanpreet was dismissed in the 18th over. Afterwards, Richa Ghosh returned to the pavilion after adding just 2 runs.
Shefali’s century completed in the final over
Shefali Verma kept hitting boundaries throughout her innings. She was nearing a century and completed it in the last over of India's chase.
Shefali scored an unbeaten 100 runs off 49 balls, including 9 sixes and 3 fours. Thanks to this brilliant knock, India posted a strong total of 195 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s batting flop in the Asian Games 2026 semifinal
Bangladesh’s start while chasing the target of 196 runs was poor. Indian bowlers maintained pressure from the beginning and took wickets at regular intervals.
Bangladesh was all‑out for 81 runs in 15.4 overs. Dilara Akhtar top‑scored for the team with 27 runs, hitting 4 fours and 1 six off 23 balls.
Sultana Khatun remained not out on 12 runs, while Sharmine Akhtar contributed 10 runs. No other Bangladeshi batter reached double figures.
Diptī Sharma and Nandani Sharma’s superb bowling
India’s bowlers also delivered an excellent performance. Diptī Sharma gave away just 7 runs and claimed 3 wickets. Nandani Sharma conceded 25 runs and dismissed 3 batters, sending them back to the pavilion.
