IND W vs SL W 2025: Shafali Verma overtakes Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma in elite list

Top-order batter Shafali Verma rose to third in the list for most Player of the Match awards for India in Women's T20Is after her match-defining performance against Sri Lanka Women in the second T20I of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam.

Shafali's unbeaten 34-ball 69 against the Lankans ensured India got past the finish line in comprehensive fashion on December 23. Shafali's enterprising knock comprised 11 fours and one six.

Shafali overtook the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti; all of whom have won the POTM award seven times each in the 20-over format. 

Most POTM awards for India in Women's T20Is

Shafali, who got out for a single-digit score in the series-opening clash, did not miss out at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Tuesday. She took the charge to the opposition in the powerplay to get India off to a rollicking start during their run-chase of only 129. 

India won the match comfortably by seven wickets and 49 deliveries to spare to take a 2-0 lead. They were successful in restricting the opposition to 128/9 in the first innings, with Sneh Rana (1/11 in 4 overs) being the standout performer for the hosts. Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma picked up two wickets apiece. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu top-scored for her team with 31 off 24.

India Women vs Sri Lanka Women Highlights, 2nd T20I

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India Women vs Sri Lanka Women Highlights, 2nd T20I

Speaking of India's innings, Jemimah was the second-highest scorer with 26 off 15. All three wickets of India's were picked by different bowlers.

Meanwhile, the third T20I is scheduled to be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on December 26.