The Indian women's cricket team secured a commanding victory over Bangladesh in the semifinal clash at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Star batter Shafali Verma led the charge with an explosive innings, registering her maiden century in T20 international cricket. News of her milestone brought immense joy to her family home in Rohtak, Haryana. Watching the action unfold from his living room, Shafali's grandfather Santlal Verma was overcome with emotion, shedding tears of happiness as soon as she crossed the three-figure mark.
Grandfather Watched the Semifinal Alone at Home
Santlal Verma revealed that he was all by himself at home throughout the match. The rest of the family, including Shafali's parents, had traveled to Haridwar for Ganesh Visarjan rituals. Sitting alone before the television screen, Santlal followed every single ball of the encounter. When Shafali completed her century, his joy knew no bounds. He shared that he had been eagerly anticipating this milestone for a long time, hoping to witness his granddaughter finally score a T20 international hundred.
Overcoming Past Near-Misses
Recalling her earlier performances, Santlal Verma mentioned that Shafali had previously come agonizingly close to reaching a century on several occasions, only to miss out in the final stretch. This time, however, she played with remarkable clarity and determination to convert her start into a full century. He fondly recounted how Shafali consistently reassures him whenever she visits home, promising that she will put up strong performances for the national side and bring honor to the country. Praising her relentless dedication and training, he expressed deep confidence that she will continue to excel on the global stage.
Surpassing Smriti Mandhana in Six-Hitting Record
In the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh, Shafali Verma remained unbeaten on 100 off just 49 deliveries. Her knock was punctuated by towering sixes that shifted the match entirely in India's favor. With these powerful hits, Shafali became India's all-time leading six-hitter in women's T20 international cricket, taking her tally to 104 sixes. In doing so, she surpassed her teammate Smriti Mandhana to claim the top spot in Indian women's cricket history.
High Hopes for Championship Glory
Reflecting on India's complete performance, Santlal Verma praised the squad for firing across all departments, highlighting their sharp bowling, dynamic batting, and disciplined fielding. Observing this well-rounded dominance, he expressed strong faith that the Indian team possesses the form and momentum needed to bring home the tournament trophy.
