New Delhi: Continuing her dream of playing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Indian spinner Shree Charani on Thursday rewrote records and became India’s highest wicket-taker in a single edition of the tournament.The newly crowned world’s No. 1 T20I bowler achieved the milestone during India’s Group A match against Bangladesh at Old Trafford in Manchester, surpassing Poonam YadavThe previous record of 10 wickets was set in the 2020 edition.Charani took 2/21 in four matches, dismissing Nahida Akter and Shorna Akter, taking her tally to 12 wickets in just four matches. The left-arm spin bowler has been the standout bowler in the tournament so far, averaging 7.08 with an economy rate of just 5.31. Her best result in the competition is still 4/19.The achievement puts Charani among some of the greatest bowling performances in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Only New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who took 15 wickets in the 2024 tournament, and England’s Anya Shrubsole and Australia’s Megan Schutt, who took 13 wickets each, have made better returns in a single match.
Indian bowlers hold down Bangladesh
Charani’s record-breaking performance came amid another well-disciplined bowling by India as Bangladesh were restricted to 136/8 after electing to bat first.Renuka Singh Thakur struck early, removing Dilara Akter, but Bangladesh recovered through Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary, who scored 51 for the second wicket. Firdous is the top scorer with 33 goals from 30 balls and has contributed the most with 22 goals.Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana then tried to accelerate with a score of 32 that included 4 boundaries and briefly changed the momentum in her side’s favour.However, India broke through in time and regained control. Nandini Sharma had earlier ended Firdous’s innings with a sharp catch Radha Yadav Mostari was removed from the order and later played a key role in restricting the middle-order.
Most wickets taken by Indian women’s team in T20 World Cup edition
- 12* – Shree Charani 2026
- 10 – Poonam Yadav 2020
- 9 – Diana David, 2010
- 8 – Poonam Yadav, 2014
- 8 – Poonam Yadav, 2018
- 8 – Radha Yadav, 2018
Radha shines and Charani caps off an unforgettable day
While Charani grabbed the headlines with his historic feat, Radha Yadav also played an equally important role, finishing with 3/28 and becoming India’s most successful bowler in the innings.The two combined effectively in the final stages, with Charani hitting two strikes at the end of the innings to prevent Bangladesh from claiming a strong victory.Bangladesh ended up with 136/8, a total that seemed sub-par considering the chances a couple of missed catches on the pitch gave them.
Most wickets in Women’s T20 World Cup edition
- 15 – Amelia Kerr (NZ-W, 2024)
- 13 – Anya Shrubsole (ENG-W, 2014)
- 13 – Megan Shute (AUS-W, 2020)
- 12 – Nongkuruleko Mhlaba (SA-W, 2024)
- 12 – Shri Charani (IND-W, 2026)
