Shafali Verma continued her prolific run in ladies’s T20 internationals, smashing a 25-ball 55 as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 9 wickets within the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead within the three-match collection on Sunday.
The Indian opener set a brand new benchmark for probably the most 50-plus scores by a batter in a calendar 12 months in ladies’s T20Is, registering her ninth such innings in 2026. She moved previous Smriti Mandhana, who recorded eight 50-plus scores in 2024, whereas Mithali Raj and Hong Kong’s Natasha Miles have seven and eight, respectively, in 2018 and 2026.
Shafali’s newest half-century, her twenty second in T20Is, got here as India chased down Zimbabwe’s modest goal of 103 in simply 8.5 overs after limiting the guests to 102/8.
Contents
Most 50-plus scores in a calendar 12 months
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9 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) in 2026
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8 – Smriti Mandhana (IND-W) in 2024
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7 – Mithali Raj (IND-W) in 2018
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7 – Natasha Miles (HKG-W) in 2026
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Shafali-Mandhana partnership provides to file 12 months
Shafali and captain Smriti Mandhana mixed to make brief work of the chase, sharing a 96-run opening partnership that put India firmly in management. Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47, whereas Shafali’s aggressive knock featured sixes and limits that left Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggling for solutions.
The stand additionally prolonged the pair’s outstanding file in 2026. Shafali and Mandhana have now registered 9 50-plus partnerships in ladies’s T20Is this calendar 12 months, probably the most by any pair. They surpassed their very own tally of seven such stands in 2024 and moved forward of Hong Kong’s Yasmin Daswani and Natasha Miles, who’ve eight in 2026.
Most 50-plus stands in a calendar 12 months in Girls’s T20Is (any wicket)
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9 – Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma (IND-W) in 2026
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8 – Yasmin Daswani, Natasha Miles (HKG-W) in 2026
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7 – Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma (IND-W) in 2024
Shafali reached her half-century in 26 balls, taking over off-spinner Beloved Biza for a six. She additionally punished Michelle Mavunga with three consecutive deliveries yielding 4, 4 and 6. Mandhana, in the meantime, struck 4 successive boundaries in opposition to pacer Nyasha Gwanzura earlier than ending the chase with an inside-out six off Olinder Chare.
The victory additionally gave Mandhana a collection win at first of her full-time captaincy stint.
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India’s bowlers limit Zimbabwe to 102/8
Earlier, India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined efficiency to forestall Zimbabwe from constructing momentum after the guests opted to bat first. Nandani Sharma dismissed opener Kelis Ndhlovu for a duck, and Zimbabwe managed solely 20 runs within the powerplay. Beloved Biza departed quickly after, leaving the guests beneath strain.
Chipo Tiripano top-scored with 34 off 32 balls, whereas captain Josephine Nkomo remained unbeaten on 27. The pair added 45 runs for the fourth wicket, offering Zimbabwe with their most efficient part of the innings.
Nevertheless, off-spinner Niki Prasad broke the stand by having Tiripano caught behind by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. Prasad later trapped Nyasha Gwanzura leg-before to complete with figures of two/7 and depart Zimbabwe restricted to 102/8.
India’s commanding chase, powered by Shafali’s record-setting half-century and her prolific partnership with Mandhana, ensured the hosts secured the collection with one match remaining.
