India beat Bangladesh by 114 runs to reach Asian Games 2026 final; Shafali Verma hits historic century

Defending champions India Women advanced to the gold-medal match of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 after a commanding 114-run victory over Bangladesh in the semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on September 20. India posted 195/4 across their 20 overs and then dismissed Bangladesh for just 81 in 15.4 overs, wrapping up a dominant performance across all three phases of the game. The result guarantees India at least a silver medal, with a gold-medal contest against Sri Lanka confirmed for September 22.

Shafali Verma was the central figure with the bat, producing a century that broke new ground in the history of the tournament. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat, and the top order responded with intent from the very first over, setting the tone for a comprehensive team display.

How did India post 195/4 against Bangladesh?

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma combined for a blistering 71-run opening partnership inside the powerplay, giving India a platform that Bangladesh never managed to disrupt. Mandhana struck 37 off 18 balls before her dismissal, but her brief stay at the crease was packed with milestones. During that knock, she surpassed all other batters to become the leading run-scorer in women’s T20I cricket and also reached the landmark of 100 sixes in the format, making her the first Indian woman to achieve that figure. Two significant records arrived within a single innings.

Shafali then took charge and accelerated sharply, finishing on a sensational 100 off 49 deliveries, an innings that included nine sixes and three fours. Her century was the first by any batter in women’s cricket at the Asian Games, a record that stands alone in the tournament’s history. Harmanpreet contributed a valuable 40 off 33 balls further down the order as India closed on 195/4, presenting Bangladesh with a daunting target of 196 runs to win.

How did India’s bowlers seal the semi-final win?

Bangladesh were unable to construct any sustained partnerships against India’s bowling attack from the outset of their chase. The Indian bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout, working through the Bangladesh batting order with consistent discipline and accuracy. The visitors were dismissed for 81 in 15.4 overs, falling 114 runs short of the target and never threatening to make the contest competitive at any stage.

The margin of victory underlined India’s superiority across batting, bowling and fielding at Korogi Sports Park. With the semi-final concluded emphatically, India now prepare for the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka on September 22, 2026, carrying the opportunity to retain the title they claimed at the previous edition of the Asian Games and complete a historic back-to-back triumph.