Shafali Verma in action vs Sri Lanka on Tuesday (Source: AFP Photos)
On Tuesday, India’s flamboyant opener Shafali Verma reached new heights in the women's Asian Games final against Sri Lanka at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. The 22-year-old went to the top of the list of most runs in a calendar year in WT20Is, leaving behind Laura Wolvaardt’s tally.
Before the start of the day, South Africa’s Wolvaardt has 824 T20I runs in 2026 at an average of 43.36, which came at a strike rate of 138.72 after 24 innings. Shafali, on the other hand, finished on 863 runs in the same number of innings, but her strike rate reads 162.83.
After slamming an unbeaten 49-ball century against Bangladesh just before this fixture, Shafali was set to smash another explosive knock. However, Chamudi Praboda did not let her do so, dismissing her after a well-crafted 29-ball 48 with three sixes and as many fours.
2 From Hong Kong Among Top-5 Most Runs In Calendar Year In WT20Is List
Two Hong Kong players, Natasha Miles and Yashika Daswani, have made the list of players with the most runs in a calendar year in WT20Is. They have 800 and 779 runs, respectively, in this calendar year (2026).
UAE’s Esha Oza is the other player who has made the cut in the list. Oza had 779 runs in 22 innings at 146.42 in the shortest format of the game.
Also Read: All Records Broken By Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma In Women's Asia Cup 2026 Final
Of course, Shafali and Wolvaardt have plenty of matches left this calendar year, and the list of most runs in a calendar year in WT20Is is expected to change again.
| Player | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| Shafali Verma (2026) | 24 | 863 | 39.22 | 162.83 |
| Laura Wolvaardt (2026) | 24 | 824 | 43.36 | 138.72 |
| Natasha Miles (2026) | 27 | 800 | 36.36 | 95.46 |
| Esha Oza (2025) | 22 | 779 | 41 | 146.42 |
| Yashika Daswani (2026) | 22 | 779 | 55.64 | 105.12 |
[Most Runs In A Calendar Year In WT20Is, As Of September 22, 2026]
Smriti Mandhana, who smashed seven sixes and five fours in a spectacular 45-ball 79 in the same women's Asian Games final, is not too far behind either. She now has 765 T20I runs in 2026, averaging 38.25 after 21 innings.
Shafali Verma Still Tops Most Sixes In A Women’s T20I Innings For India
However, Mandhana’s 7-six mayhem wasn't enough to reach the top of the list of most sixes in a Women’s T20I Innings For India.
Shafali, who had punished Bangladesh with nine sixes in the women's Asian Games semi-final, ranks highest.
Most sixes In A Women’s T20I Innings For India
- 9 - Shafali Verma vs Bangladesh, Nisshin, 2026
- 8 - Harmanpreet Kaur vs New Zealand, 2018
- 7 - Smriti Mandhana vs Hong Kong, Dubai, 2026
- 7 - Smriti Mandhana vs Sri Lanka, Nisshin, 2026*
A Look At Shafali's WT20I Career So Far
Ahead of the Women's Asian Games final, Shafali had scored 3277 runs in 117 innings at a strike rate of 140.70.
So far, she has 21 half-centuries and one century in this format, becoming one of the pioneers who helped India get off to a fluent start whenever they are in action. Safe to say, she is India’s most destructive player in women’s cricket at present, with Richa Ghosh being a close second.
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