Her innings, which featured nine towering sixes and three boundaries, provided the backbone for India’s formidable total of 195/4. The performance set a challenging target of 196 for Bangladesh, with the winner of the contest advancing to the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka.
Record-Breaking Power and Milestone Achievements
The semi-final was a landmark occasion for the Indian batting lineup. Earlier in the same innings, Smriti Mandhana achieved a significant personal milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to reach 100 sixes in T20 Internationals. However, Verma quickly eclipsed that mark, finishing the match with 104 career sixes to become India’s leading six-hitter in the format.
Verma’s aggressive approach has been a defining feature of her 2026 campaign. With this latest display, she has now struck 35 sixes in the calendar year, setting a new record for the most sixes in a single year in women’s T20Is. She surpassed the previous benchmark of 32, set by Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu in 2024. Her current strike rate of 14.31 balls per six highlights her dominance at the crease throughout the season.
Supporting Contributions and Match Context
While Verma provided the fireworks, she was well-supported by her teammates. Mandhana contributed a brisk 37 off 18 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the middle order with a steady 40 from 33 deliveries. The Bangladesh bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate, with Sanjida Akter Meghla, Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, and Rabeya Khatun each claiming a single wicket.
Beyond her six-hitting records, Verma is also enjoying a prolific year in terms of run-scoring. She has accumulated 815 runs in T20Is during 2026, placing her second on the list of top run-scorers for the calendar year, trailing only South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who sits at 824. As India looks toward the final stages of the Asian Games, Verma’s form remains a critical component of their pursuit of the gold medal.
