Shafali Verma’s September blitz: 360 runs, six wickets and a rise into ICC’s top four

Some batters make an impact with a big innings. Shafali Verma spent September 2026 doing it again and again. The Indian opener powered her side through the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games, combining explosive strokeplay with timely contributions with the ball. Her performances earned her a place on the shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for September, alongside India teammate Sree Charani and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu. The International Cricket Council announced the nominations on October 6.

The numbers explain why Verma is in contention: 360 runs across seven T20 internationals, an average of 72, a strike rate of 184.61 and six wickets. But the more compelling story is where those runs came: in matches that helped India turn a remarkable month into a double title triumph.

Shafali Verma led India’s Women’s Asia Cup title charge

Verma was the leading run-scorer at the Women’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, finishing with 236 runs in five innings. She delivered when the stakes were highest, scoring 64 against Bangladesh in the semi-final and 68 against Sri Lanka in the final. India went on to secure a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title, with Verma’s aggressive approach at the top of the order helping set the tone. Her ability to score quickly gave India momentum, putting pressure on opposition bowlers and creating room for the rest of the batting line-up.

For an opener, consistency across a tournament matters as much as one spectacular innings. Verma supplied both, finishing as the competition’s most prolific batter and carrying that confidence into the next challenge.

Her maiden T20I century powered India at the Asian Games

The Asian Games in Japan brought another milestone. Verma scored 188 runs in three innings, beginning with an unbeaten 40 against Japan before producing a maiden T20I century against Bangladesh in the semi-final. She smashed 100 not out off 49 balls, an innings that underlined her ability to combine power with speed when India needed a decisive performance. In the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka, she added 48 as India won by a commanding 147 runs.

The victory secured India gold in women’s cricket at the Games. According to the ICC, Verma also contributed with the ball, taking four wickets during the Asian Games, including two in the final against Sri Lanka.

Shafali Verma’s bowling added another dimension to her month

Verma’s September was not only about her batting. She took six wickets across the seven T20Is, including two during the Asia Cup and four at the Asian Games. Her overall bowling average was 13, with an economy rate of 4.33.

That all-round contribution strengthened her case for the monthly award. While her striking rate made headlines, her ability to chip in with wickets gave India another option during a demanding run of fixtures.

ICC rankings reflect Shafali Verma’s growing influence

The month also lifted Verma into the top four of the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings. The ICC’s September 22 rankings update credited her maiden T20I century at the Asian Games for helping her climb two places. Verma had previously won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award in November 2025, following her role in India’s Women’s Cricket World Cup triumph.

September has added another compelling chapter to her story: two titles, a maiden T20I hundred and performances across batting and bowling that helped India finish on top. Whether the month brings another individual award or not, Verma has made one thing clear: she is becoming a force India can rely on when the pressure rises.

(With inputs from ANI)