Fifteen-year-old Shafali Verma became the youngest Indian cricketer to score a half-century in international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 30-year-old record.
Shafali's 49-ball 73 in the first T20I against West Indies powered the Indian women's team to a convincing 84-run win at Gros Islet on Saturday.
Playing in only her fifth T20I, Shafali put the West Indies attack to the sword, blasting six fours and four sixes on way to her maiden fifty at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.
Shafali achieved the feat at 15 years and 285 days, surpassing batting legend Tendulkar, who had notched up his maiden Test fifty at 16 years and 214 days.
The Haryana teenager shared a record opening stand of 143—India's highest partnership in women's T20Is—with Smriti Mandhana to help her team post a challenging 185 for four after being asked to take first strike by the hosts.
also read
- How did Jemimah Rodrigues get injured during Women's Big Bash League?
- Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament announced by ICC: Harmanpreet Kaur joins Laura Wolvaardt-captained side!
- Who is Neetu David, India Women cricketer inducted into ICC Hall of Fame along with AB de Villiers?
- Mission accomplished! India register big win over Sri Lanka in Women's T20 World Cup
- Women's T20 World Cup: India beat Pakistan but all is not well, here's why
Shafali, who had scored 46 in her career's second T20I against South Africa at Surat last month, exploded in the second over, smashing Shakera Selman for two fours and a six.
She then launched an assault on Chinelle Henry, crossing the fence four times before depositing one at the stands in the fourth over. The result was that she had raced away to an 18-ball 43 at the end of the powerplay.
Shafali and Mandhana took India past the 100-mark in 10 overs before the former fell to Selman in the 16th over.
In response to India's total, West Indies were restricted to 101 for nine.
With the win, India have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.