Indian cricket star Shafali Verma has scripted history once again. Known for her aggressive power-hitting, the dynamic opener achieved a major international milestone in Raipur.
Consequently, she broke the world record for the most 50-plus scores in a calendar year in Women’s T20Is.
Her blazing knock of 55 runs off just 25 balls against Zimbabwe powered India to a commanding victory. Furthermore, this historic innings marked her ninth 50-plus score in 2026.
Here is an in-depth look at her record-breaking performance, career statistics, and incredible impact on women’s cricket.
The Record-Breaking Knock in Raipur
Shafali reached this benchmark during the second T20I match against Zimbabwe at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
- Explosive Batting: She scored a blistering 55 runs off 25 deliveries, hitting six fours and four towering sixes.
- Powerplay Dominance: Along with Smriti Mandhana, she helped India race past the 50-run mark in just 4.3 overs.
- Overtaking a Teammate: With her ninth 50-plus score of the year, she surpassed opening partner Smriti Mandhana, who previously held the record with eight scores in 2024.
Additionally, this victory gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Most 50-Plus Scores in a Women’s T20I Calendar Year
India’s top order continues to dominate international cricket records. The table below highlights the top batters with the most 50-plus scores in a single calendar year:
| Player Name | Country | 50+ Scores in a Year | Year Achieved |
| Shafali Verma | India | 9 | 2026 |
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 8 | 2024 |
| Mithali Raj | India | 7 | 2018 |
| Natasha Miles | Hong Kong | 7 | 2026 |
A Record-Breaking 2026 Season for Shafali
Shafali’s milestone in Raipur is not her only achievement this year. In fact, 2026 has been a career-defining year for the young opener across all formats.
- Highest Runs in a Calendar Year: She also became the highest run-scorer in a single calendar year in Women’s T20Is, crossing 922 runs.
- Massive Partnership Benchmark: She and Smriti Mandhana became the first pair to cross 1,000 partnership runs in a single T20I calendar year.
- Consistent Boundary Striking: Over 85% of her runs in her record-breaking innings came through boundaries, proving her aggressive mindset.
What Makes Shafali Verma Unstoppable?
Experts credit several factors for her rapid evolution as a top-tier international batter.
- Improved Strike Rotation: While she remains a natural boundary hitter, she now rotates the strike efficiently against spin bowlers.
- Fearless Intent: She attacks early in the powerplay, forcing opposition captains to alter field placements quickly.
- Franchise Exposure: Playing high-pressure matches in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has elevated her tactical awareness.
Final Thoughts
Achieving the Shafali Verma world record most 50 plus scores benchmark solidifies her status as one of the most explosive batters in modern cricket. At a young age, she continues to raise the bar for international opening batters. As India prepares for upcoming global tournaments, fans can expect many more milestones from her bat.
