Shafali Verma Becomes Third-Highest Player of the Match Awardee for India Women in T20Is

Shafali Verma has made a significant mark in women's cricket by becoming the third-highest Player of the Match awardee for India in T20Is. At just 21, she achieved her eighth award, surpassing Smriti Mandhana. Verma's recent performance included a stunning unbeaten 69 runs against Sri Lanka, leading India to a seven-wicket victory and a 2-0 series lead. Her reflections on the match highlight her growth as a cricketer. Discover more about her journey and the match highlights in this article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 24, 2025, 10:21 IST

Shafali Verma's Remarkable Achievement

In Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on December 24, India's talented opening batter Shafali Verma has made headlines by surpassing Smriti Mandhana to become the third-highest recipient of Player of the Match awards for the Indian Women's T20I team.

At just 21 years of age, Verma has secured her eighth POTM award, placing her behind only Mithali Raj, who has 12, and Harmanpreet Kaur, with 11.

Verma's standout performance included an impressive unbeaten score of 69 runs off just 34 balls against Sri Lanka in the second T20I, which earned her the Player of the Match title. Her innings was marked by 11 boundaries and a six, highlighting her explosive batting prowess.

India's Victory and Series Lead

India triumphed by seven wickets, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Mithali Raj holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards in Women's T20 Internationals for India, with 12 awards from 89 matches played between 2006 and 2019. Harmanpreet Kaur follows closely with 11 awards in 184 matches, while Shafali Verma currently stands third with 8 awards in 92 matches.

Verma's Reflections on Her Performance

After the match, Verma reflected on her innings, stating, "The ball was holding a bit at the start, so I tried to play along the ground and take singles. The coach also advised me on how to approach such conditions. They bowled well initially. It was a good knock. I kept calm, played along the ground, and the ball was coming on nicely. I know I can score runs if I play the ball on the ground. Acceptance is key; if you acknowledge your weaknesses, you can improve as a cricketer."

Match Highlights

In the match, Verma's explosive innings propelled India to chase down a target of 129 runs in just 11.5 overs against Sri Lanka. Mandhana provided some early support but was dismissed for 14 runs off 11 balls, with India losing their first wicket at 29 runs.

Following Mandhana's exit, Jemimah Rodrigues joined Verma at the crease, and the pair quickly took control, helping India reach 68 runs during the powerplay. They added 58 runs for the second wicket before Rodrigues was dismissed for 26 runs off 15 balls.

Verma maintained her aggressive approach throughout the innings, and after Rodrigues' dismissal, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur came to bat but was out for a duck, bowled by Malki Madara when just one run was needed for victory.