India’s young batting star Shafali Verma has made headlines for two very different reasons. After delivering a match-winning performance against Zimbabwe, she has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching its Code of Conduct. Meanwhile, the in-form opener is on the verge of creating history in women’s T20 internationals.
Shafali Verma was India’s top scorer in the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday, October 18, in Raipur. Her performance also earned her the Player of the Match award. However, just a couple of days later, the ICC penalised the Rohtak-based cricketer. According to an ICC statement, Shafali Verma was found guilty of violating Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This rule deals with the misuse or abuse of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.
The incident took place in the 12th over of India’s first innings during the second T20I. Shafali Verma dropped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid-off off the bowling of Sree Charani. Frustrated after missing the catch, she threw the ball into the ground. Shafali admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by GS Lakshmi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Despite the incident, Shafali remains in outstanding form and is currently the leading run-scorer in women’s T20 internationals (WT20Is) in 2026.
Shafali Verma will be back in action as India take on Zimbabwe in the third T20I on Tuesday at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The opening batter will have a golden opportunity to achieve a landmark that no player has reached before in women’s T20 internationals.
Shafali Verma has scored 922 runs in 26 matches during the 2026 calendar year. If she scores at least 78 runs in the third T20I, she will become the first player in the world to reach 1,000 runs in women’s T20 internationals in a single calendar year. She already holds the top position on the list of players with the most WT20I runs in a calendar year and a big innings against Zimbabwe could help her extend that record further.
The 2026 season has been particularly impressive for Shafali Verma. She has scored one century and eight half-centuries in women’s T20 internationals this year. A half-century in Raipur on Tuesday would also help her surpass Smriti Mandhana’s record for the most half-centuries by an Indian player in WT20Is in a calendar year. Smriti Mandhana scored eight half-centuries in 21 innings across 23 T20Is in 2024. Shafali has already matched that tally in 2026 and another fifty would put her ahead of her Indian teammate.
With the 1,000-run milestone and another batting record within reach, all eyes will be on Shafali Verma in the third T20I against Zimbabwe.
Will the Indian opener turn her excellent form into a historic achievement? What do you think?
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