Shafali Verma has credited Smriti Mandhana for helping her bring out her best at the top of the order, after the pair played a key role in India Women’s commanding 95-run win over the Netherlands Women in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. The opening stand once again showed why this partnership remains one of India’s biggest batting strengths in the tournament. Verma said Mandhana’s calm and composed approach helps her control her natural urge to attack every delivery.

While Shafali likes to take on bowlers from the start, Mandhana keeps reminding her to stay patient, wait for the right ball, and score more controlled runs when required. That understanding helped the duo build a strong opening platform, with Verma reaching her maiden T20I half-century and Mandhana producing a classy 47-ball 74, earning her the Player of the Match award.

Together, the pair added 115 runs for the first wicket in just 71 balls, giving India the perfect launchpad for a huge total of 209 in 20 overs. It was a powerful batting display that put India Women in full command and underlined the value of their experienced opening combination. “She keeps advising me, because I feel like hitting a six every ball, but she’s the one who keeps me calm, tells me loose balls will come and I have to play along the ground too.”

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“So she keeps me calm and she spoke very well with me today, she was making me understand on every ball. So it felt great, we had a 100-plus partnership and we are trying to do the same in the upcoming matches,” Shafali Verma said in the press conference via ESPNcricinfo.

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Verma also highlighted the importance of having an opening partner who understands the game deeply. According to her, having someone who knows her strengths and weaknesses makes it easier to rotate strike, target the right bowlers and build momentum against different types of attack.

“She has the best seat to tell me what I’m doing is right or wrong, and then even I have the best seat to tell her which bowler I can take on. We both know who should take the strike when there’s an offspinner, or when there’s a left-arm spinner. We have been playing with each other for many years, so we both know about each other a lot,” she added.

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With back-to-back wins, India Women now sit top of Group 1 with four points from two matches. Their next challenge is against South Africa Women at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, June 21, a clash that could prove decisive in the race for the knockout stage.