Shafali Verma’s unbeaten century helped India Women secure a 114-run semifinal win over Bangladesh, advancing to the Asian Games 2026 gold medal final against Sri Lanka, while Team India’s T20 squad faces a pivotal stage in the tournament.
Shafali Verma’s maiden white-ball century and a disciplined bowling effort propelled India Women to a dominant 114-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asian Games 2026 semifinal, securing their place in the gold medal clash against Sri Lanka.
Shafali’s Century and Bowling Power India to Semifinal Win
Verma’s record-breaking 100, which included nine sixes, not only marked her first limited-overs ton but also surpassed Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu’s 2024 T20I sixes record with 35 in 2026. Her knock came after a 72-run opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana, who scored 37, while Bangladesh’s Dilara Akter top-scored with 27. The Indian bowlers then dismantled the opposition, with Nandni and Deepti each taking three wickets and Charani two, finishing the chase in 15.4 overs to clinch the win.
The victory sets up a gold medal final between India and Sri Lanka, a rematch of the previous edition of the Asian Games final and the recently concluded Women’s Asia Cup final. Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the bronze-medal match, with both teams’ outcomes now determined after the semifinal results.
Tournament Format and India’s Medal Prospects
India’s men’s T20 squad faces a critical phase in the tournament, with a single win in the quarterfinals guaranteeing a medal. The team, ranked top, enters the competition directly from the quarterfinals, with a win on October 1 advancing them to the semis, and another to the gold medal match. A loss in the semis would still send them to the bronze medal play-off on October 3 according to the tournament structure.
This format mirrors the women’s team’s path, which secured a medal after a semifinal win. The men’s squad aims to replicate the success of the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where India won gold. The team’s recent 3-0 T20 series win against Afghanistan and close victory over Japan highlight their strong position in the competition.
Historical Context and Future Matches
The Asian Games 2026 marks the first time since September 12, 1998, that two Indian teams will play international matches on the same day. On October 3, the men’s T20 squad will face West Indies in a series finale while the women’s team competes for gold.
For India Women, the gold medal final against Sri Lanka represents a chance to extend their dominance in the event, having won the yellow metal in the 2023 Hangzhou Games.