India’s very own pocket-sized dynamite Shafali Verma was in her true colours when she entered the ground to face Bangladesh bowlers in India’s second Women’s T20 World Cup match in Perth on Monday.
The 16-year-old smashed a six over covers on the 5th ball of India’s innings and made her intentions clear. The teenager gave the signals to the neighbours that absence of Smriti Mandhana, due to fever, will not force India to make a cautious and slow start.
“Since Mandhana wasn’t around, I wanted to take the responsibility to stay around and give India a good start. I’ve been practising hitting the ball hard,” an elated Shafali said after the match.
The Rohtak-born prodigy was on a roll as she smashed sixes in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th overs of India’s innings. In the third over she also went on to smash 2 fours. She showed glimpses of Virender Sehwag in her blistering innings and even got out in a fashion similar to that of legendary Najafgarh batsman.
Shafali tried going over mid-off but could not make a balance between height and distance which is required to send the ball over the boundary rope. The ball went soaring up and was caught by Shamima Sultana at mid-off.
Shafil, who batted with an strike-rate of 229 had laid a platform for India to score big as India’s scorecard read 53 for 2 in just 5.3 overs when she left.
Big striking is not the only area the batter is looking for as a young shafali revealed her mature plans in the post-match ceremony.
“I would like to bring the team more success in the future. I’d like to continue doing this, help India win matches and ultimately win us the World Cup.”
India overall have played a good all-round cricket in the two matches of this T20 World Cup. Team’s bowling department especially has been on point. While, they defended 133 runs against mighty Australians in the first match, this time also bowler stepped in to soak in the average performance by batters, who collapsed mid way and posted 142 runs on the board.
Harmanpreet kaur-led India would like to get over these deficiencies when they take the field against New Zealand on February 27.
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