NEW DELHI: Indian pacer Shree Charani continued her dream run at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, remaking the record books on Thursday by becoming the highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the tournament.The newly crowned World No. 1 T20I bowler achieved a milestone during India’s Group A clash against Bangladesh at Old Trafford in Manchester, surpassing Poonam Yadavthe previous record of 10 wickets set during the 2020 edition.Charani took 2/21 from her four overs, dismissing Nahida Akter and Shorna Akter, to take her tally to 12 wickets in just four matches. The left-handed pitcher has been the best bowler in the competition so far, averaging a staggering 7.08 while maintaining an economy rating of just 5.31. Her best results in the tournament are still 4/19.The achievement puts Charani alongside 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 edition, and England’s Anya Shrubsole and Australia’s Megan Schutt, with 13 wickets each, managed to return better in one tournament.
Indian bowlers keep Bangladesh in check
Charani’s record performance came during another disciplined bowling performance by India as Bangladesh were restricted to 136/8 after opting to bat first.Renuka Singh Thakur struck early to remove Dilara Akter, but Bangladesh recovered through Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary, who added 51 runs for the second wicket. Ferdous was the best scorer with 33 blocked balls, while Mostary gave 22 balls.Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana then tried to accelerate with a quick 32, including four boundaries, and briefly shifted the momentum in her favour.However, India regained control with timely inroads. Nandini Sharma earlier ended Ferdous’s innings with a crisp return catch Radha Yadav removed Mostary and later played a key role in restricting the middle order.
Most wickets for women in India in the T20 edition of the World Cup
- 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 glows as Charani makes it a day to remember
While Charani grabbed the headlines with her historic feat, Radha Yadav produced an equally important spell, finishing with 3/28 to become India’s most successful bowler in an innings.The pair combined effectively during the closing stages and Charani struck twice in the late innings to prevent Bangladesh from achieving a strong finish.Bangladesh eventually closed on 136/8, a total that seemed below par given the opportunities afforded them by several lost catches in the field.
Most wickets in an edition of the Women’s World Cup T20
- 15 – Amelia Kerr (NZ-W, 2024)
- 13 – Anya Shrubsole (ENG-W, 2014)
- 13 – Megan Schutt (AUS-W, 2020)
- 12 – Nonkululeko Mlaba (SA-W, 2024)
- 12 – Shree Charani (IND-W, 2026)
