Sushma Verma’s monumental 237 in the Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy Final 2026 in Puducherry stands out not only for its magnitude but also for the journey behind it. Opening the batting for North Zone for the first time in red-ball cricket, the 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batter crafted a marathon 237 off 498 deliveries, striking 30 fours and four sixes. The innings became the second-highest individual score in women’s first-class cricket, falling just short of Kiran Baluch’s record of 242 set in 2004.
This knock came in only her 11th first-class appearance, surpassing her previous highest score of 75 not out by a significant margin. West Zone had posted 359, and in response, North Zone reached 484 on the back of her innings, securing a 125-run first-innings lead. With the match ending in a draw, that advantage ensured North Zone lifted the title.
Unexpected Promotion and Steady Start
Sushma had initially prepared to bat at No. 3, but an injury to Priya Punia forced a late reshuffle, pushing her to open. Reflecting on the change, she said, “The plan was, I would bat one down. In our first match, against North-East Zone, I came in at No. 6 and had to shepherd the tail. I think our coach, Dipti Dhyani di, realised I could be more useful up the order.”
Facing bowlers like Sayali Satghare and Saima Thakor, she began cautiously on a 1.5-day-old pitch. Her first hundred came off 285 balls, built on patience and control, before she accelerated dramatically. Her second hundred required just 159 balls, with 74 runs coming in boundaries.
Partnerships Anchor the Innings
Sushma played a central role in multiple key stands, most notably a 231-run partnership for the second wicket with Ayushi Soni, who scored 109. She then added 68 runs with Priya Punia (10 off 84 balls) and 82 with Shweta Sehrawat (18 off 108 balls), often taking on the bulk of scoring responsibility.
By the end of day three, she was unbeaten on 212, surpassing Mithali Raj’s 210 not out and later 214, the highest scores in Indian domestic women’s cricket and women’s first-class cricket respectively. Despite nearing records, her focus remained on building the innings. “The first 50 runs surprised me, in a good way, that I was guiding the team despite opening for the first time. After that, there was no nervousness. At the end of the second day, when I was on 65 not out, I spoke to my coach, Pawan Sen. He said I must score a hundred. I told him not just a hundred, I could sense a double-hundred.”
Nearing a World Record
The innings, however, ended just short of a historic milestone. Dismissed for 237 by Saima Thakor, she narrowly missed the world record. Reflecting on the moment, she admitted, “In the whole innings, I lost focus on only two balls: the one I got out on and the one just before that. By then, the second new ball was 60-odd overs old and they had seven fielders on the boundary, so run-scoring wasn’t easy. When I came to know how close I was to the world record, I was very disappointed.”
A Journey of Setbacks and Comeback
Her innings gains further significance when viewed against her international career. A key moment came during the 2017 ODI World Cup final at Lord’s, where she was dismissed for a two-ball duck as India fell short by nine runs. Reflecting on its impact, she said, “I felt we lost the World Cup because of me. For the next two years, I didn’t play a single sweep. Till this day, I have not watched the highlights of the final – I am scared it might traumatise me all over again.”
In the years that followed, opportunities were limited. She last represented India in 2021 and did not feature in the 2023 T20I tri-series in South Africa. Her stint in the Women’s Premier League yielded 42 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 79.24.
Return to Form
Sushma’s resurgence began in the domestic one-day competition leading into this match, where she scored 344 runs in six innings at an average of 344.00 and a strike rate of 87.53, including nine sixes.
Her decision to step away from commentary and focus entirely on cricket played a role in this revival, culminating in an innings that redefined her career trajectory.
A Defining Knock
In a setting without much spotlight, Sushma Verma delivered one of the most significant innings in women’s domestic cricket. Beyond the numbers, it was a performance shaped by resilience, experience, and renewed belief, marking a defining chapter in her journey.
