As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off, Team India is determined to make history by chasing their first-ever title. The campaign begins on October 4 with an exciting clash against New Zealand. Shafali Verma, one of India’s key players, shared her thoughts on the upcoming match, especially facing New Zealand’s captain, Sophie Devine.
Shafali Verma expressed the team’s excitement, mentioning that they have been preparing for the World Cup for the past 6-7 months. She noted that Devine is a fearless batter, and their strategy will be to dismiss her early to gain the upper hand. Shafali also discussed her strong on-field partnership with Smriti Mandhana, revealing how their connection has grown over the years. Having opened together for the past 2-3 years, they have developed an intuitive understanding of each other’s emotions and gameplay.
“We can sense each other’s feelings just by our facial expressions while batting,” she explained. This bond allows them to build strong innings, especially during the powerplay. Shafali praised Mandhana’s timing and her ability to construct big innings, qualities she deeply admires in her teammate.
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Reflecting on her bond with India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali spoke of her admiration for Kaur’s passion for the game. She mentioned how much winning the World Cup means to Kaur, and how her leadership continues to inspire and motivate the entire team. Shafali hopes to contribute towards realizing Kaur’s dream of lifting the World Cup trophy, expressing her respect for Kaur’s ability as both a player and a captain.
Shafali Verma also recalled her experience debuting at just 16 during the 2020 Women’s World Cup. She described it as a significant moment in her life, not just because of the cricket, but also the overall experience of being in Australia. The tournament holds special memories for her, and despite coming close to victory, she hopes to change the outcome this time around.
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One of her most vivid memories from the 2020 final was playing in front of a massive crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The roar of the fans was overwhelming, and she admitted it was a new and challenging experience. However, Shafali Verma has learned to focus better and believes she wouldn’t feel the same pressure if faced with such a situation again.
Finally, Shafali touched on the immense pride she felt after winning the U19 World Cup. For her, it was not just a personal triumph but also a proud moment for her family, her country, and women’s cricket in India. She still looks back at those pictures with joy and hopes the team can replicate similar success in 2024.
