Shafali Verma hits ninth 50-plus score of 2026 as India thrash Zimbabwe to seal T20I series
Shafali Verma sets new benchmark as India crush Zimbabwe
Shafali Verma continued her prolific run in women's T20 internationals, smashing a 25-ball 55 as India beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second T20I on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Indian opener set a new benchmark for the most 50-plus scores by a batter in a calendar year in women's T20Is, registering her ninth such innings in 2026. She moved past Smriti Mandhana, who recorded eight 50-plus scores in 2024. Mithali Raj (seven in 2018) and Hong Kong's Natasha Miles (seven in 2026) also sit behind her in the list.
Her latest half-century, her 22nd in T20Is, came as India chased down Zimbabwe's modest target of 103 in just 8.5 overs.
Shafali and Mandhana put India in control
Shafali and captain Smriti Mandhana made short work of the chase, sharing a 96-run opening partnership. Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47, while Shafali's aggressive knock featured sixes and boundaries that left Zimbabwe's bowlers searching for answers.
The pair have now registered nine 50-plus partnerships in women's T20Is in 2026, the most by any pair in a calendar year, surpassing their own tally of seven such stands in 2024. They also moved ahead of Hong Kong's Yasmin Daswani and Natasha Miles, who have eight in 2026.
Shafali reached her half-century in 26 balls, taking on off-spinner Beloved Biza for a six. She then punished Michelle Mavunga with three consecutive deliveries yielding four, four and six. Mandhana struck four successive boundaries against pacer Nyasha Gwanzura before finishing the chase with an inside-out six off Olinder Chare.
The victory also gave Mandhana a series win at the start of her full-time captaincy stint.
India's bowlers restrict Zimbabwe to 102/8
India's bowlers delivered a disciplined performance after Zimbabwe opted to bat first. Nandani Sharma dismissed opener Kelis Ndhlovu for a duck, and Zimbabwe managed only 20 runs in the powerplay. Beloved Biza departed soon after, leaving the visitors under pressure.
Chipo Tiripano top-scored with 34 off 32 balls, while captain Josephine Nkomo remained unbeaten on 27. The pair added 45 runs for the fourth wicket. Off-spinner Niki Prasad broke the stand by having Tiripano caught behind by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, and later trapped Nyasha Gwanzura leg-before to finish with figures of 2/7.
India's commanding chase ensured the hosts secured the series with one match remaining.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe Women 102/8 in 20 overs (Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 34; Niki Prasad 2-7) lost to India Women 104/1 in 8.5 overs (Shafali Verma 55, Smriti Mandhana 47*) by 9 wickets.