Shree Charani etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Indian woman to score a century in a T20 World Cup match. The historic feat occurred during the India vs Bangladesh clash in the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on June 25, 2026.
Record-Breaking Knock
Charani's unbeaten 102 off 54 balls powered India to a formidable total of 189/3 in their 20 overs. Her innings included 12 boundaries and 4 sixes, dismantling the Bangladesh bowling attack. This was the highest individual score by an Indian woman in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous best of 97 by Harmanpreet Kaur.
Match Context
India were put into bat first after Bangladesh won the toss. Charani walked in at number three and anchored the innings, finding support from Smriti Mandhana (45 off 38) and Jemimah Rodrigues (30 off 22). The partnership between Charani and Mandhana added 98 runs for the second wicket, setting the platform for a massive total.
Impact and Reactions
According to the ICC, Charani's innings was the third-fastest century in Women's T20 World Cup history. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised Charani, saying, "This is a special moment for Indian cricket. Shree has shown immense talent and composure under pressure. Her knock will inspire many young girls to take up the sport."
Bangladesh's Response
In reply, Bangladesh could only manage 112/7 in their 20 overs, losing by 77 runs. Indian bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma's 3/18, ensured Bangladesh never recovered from the early loss of wickets. The victory strengthened India's position in the tournament standings.
Historical Significance
Charani's century is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the growth of women's cricket in India. The 22-year-old from Tamil Nadu has been a rising star in domestic cricket, and this performance cements her place on the international stage. The match also saw the highest attendance for a women's T20 World Cup group stage match in India, with over 15,000 fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
