Shafali Verma has become the youngest batter to reach 3,000 runs in Women's T20 Internationals, achieving the milestone at the age of 22 years and 220 days. The Indian opener is the 16th player overall to cross this mark in the format and the third from India, following Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
The milestone arrived during a match in which Pakistan were bowled out for 55 runs. India's bowlers were in complete control, with Shree Charani and Prema Rawat taking three wickets each and Deepti
Sharma adding two more to her name.
How does Shafali compare with other players who have reached 3,000 Women's T20I runs?
Shafali's age at the time of reaching 3,000 Women's T20I runs sets her apart from every other batter who has achieved the same landmark. The next youngest on the list is Ireland's Gaby Lewis, who reached the milestone at 24 years and 347 days, more than two years older than Shafali was when she got there.
Esha Oza of the UAE reached 3,000 runs at 27 years and 139 days, while India's Smriti Mandhana did so at 27 years and 171 days. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews is also on the list, having crossed the mark at 27 years and 347 days. Shafali's age advantage over all of them underlines how early she entered and sustained herself at the top level of the format.
What makes Shafali Verma's 3,000-run milestone notable beyond her age?
Beyond being the youngest to the landmark, Shafali Verma is also the fastest to 3,000 Women's T20I runs in terms of balls faced, having needed just 2,182 deliveries to get there. This figure places her ahead of every other batter who has reached the same total in the format, reflecting the aggressive and high-strike-rate style she has maintained throughout her international career.
The combination of reaching the milestone at the youngest age and in the fewest balls faced makes Shafali's achievement a double record in Women's T20I cricket. As the third Indian after Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur to join the 3,000-run club, she adds further depth to India's standing among the leading batting nations in the women's game.
Youngest to 3,000 Runs in Women’s T20Is
|
Rank |
Player |
Team |
Age |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Shafali Verma |
India |
22y 220d |
|
2 |
Gaby Lewis |
Ireland |
24y 347d |
|
3 |
Esha Oza |
UAE |
27y 139d |
|
4 |
Smriti Mandhana |
India |
27y 171d |
|
5 |
Hayley Matthews |
West Indies |
27y 347d |
