Seven Sixes, 79 Runs: Smriti Mandhana Joins Shafali Verma Six-Hitting Party

Shafali Verma's power-hitting against Bangladesh had already set a new benchmark for India in women's T20Is. Against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 final, Smriti Mandhana came within touching distance of that mark as India's openers continued their assault.

Mandhana smashed seven sixes during her 79 off 45 balls at Nisshin, matching her own record for the second-most sixes by an Indian in a Women's T20I innings. Her effort also moved her alongside her previous seven-six performance against Hong Kong earlier in 2026.

Shafali Verma holds the India record

Shafali owns the record for most sixes by an Indian in a Women's T20I innings, having hit nine against Bangladesh at Nisshin earlier in the tournament.

The landmark innings surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur's previous Indian record of eight sixes, scored against New Zealand in 2018.

The current list stands:

| Sixes | Player | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| ----- | ---------------- | ----------- | ------- | ---- |
| 9 | Shafali Verma | Bangladesh | Nisshin | 2026 |
| 8 | Harmanpreet Kaur | New Zealand | - | 2018 |
| 7 | Smriti Mandhana | Hong Kong | Dubai | 2026 |
| 7 | Smriti Mandhana | Sri Lanka | Nisshin | 2026 |

Smriti Mandhana leads India's PowerPlay assault

Mandhana and Shafali set the tone from the opening over against Sri Lanka, with India reaching 67 without loss at the end of the PowerPlay.

Mandhana took particular aim at the Sri Lankan attack, clearing the ropes four times inside the first six overs, while Shafali added two sixes of her own.

The opening pair eventually put on 99 runs before Shafali was dismissed for 48 off 29 balls. Her innings included three fours and three sixes.

Mandhana continued to attack after her partner's departure, finishing with 79 from 45 deliveries. Her innings contained five fours and seven sixes, taking her level with her own second-place mark on India's six-hitting list.

The innings also carried a major personal milestone, with Mandhana becoming the first player in women's cricket to reach 11,000 international runs.