India’s explosive opener Shafali Verma continued her rich vein of form in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, hammering a quickfire half-century in the third match to power India toward a dominant series win. The innings was not only match-winning but also etched Verma’s name into the record books.
With this knock, Shafali registered her 13th T20I fifty — the highest number of fifties recorded by any cricketer in women’s T20Is before turning 22, surpassing Isle of Man’s Lucy Barnett, who previously held the mark with 12 half-centuries. The milestone further highlights Shafali’s rapid rise as one of the most impactful young batters in the women’s game.
Shafali also joined Smriti Mandhana in an exclusive Indian record, becoming only the second Indian woman to reach a T20I fifty inside the powerplay overs. While Mandhana fell early in the innings to Kavisha Dilhari, Shafali attacked from the outset, shifting momentum in India’s favour from the opening over.
After starting cautiously with three dot balls, Shafali finished the first over in style with a six and two boundaries. By the end of the six-over phase, she had already smashed eight fours and two sixes, bringing up her fifty off the final ball of the powerplay.
She went on to remain unbeaten on 79 from 42 deliveries — backing up her 69* in the previous match — as India comfortably chased down the target of 113 with 40 balls remaining, sealing the series in emphatic fashion.
