Shafali, who has five WT20I fifties, got her first half-century this week, hitting 52 off of 41 balls in a match against Australia.
India’s aggressive opener Shafali Verma, who is reminded of the men’s squad while facing the stars from Down Under, adds that the thrill of smacking an Australian for a boundary is incomparable. One of the most explosive opening pairs in women’s cricket is Shafali and the exquisite Smriti Mandhana, whom both made their India debuts at a young age. Shafali, a powerful batter who has already reached five WT20I fifties, eventually got her first half-century this week, batting an unbeaten 52 off of just 41 balls in a match against Australia. Six rims and three sixes adorned her knock.
“Australia is one of my favorite opponents. On the eve of the fourth Twenty20 International against Australia, Shafali remarked, “It feels like you are playing against men.”
Because Australia is the finest team (in women’s cricket), if I score a four (against an Australian), I feel energized and like I’ve grown as a player. When facing Australian bowlers, I find great satisfaction in hitting boundaries.
And, “I don’t get so much enjoyment when I hit boundaries against England or any other team,” she continued.
India has to win the fourth T20 by a razor-thin margin to keep their five-game series alive, and Shafali is aware that the Australians would be looking to capitalize on any mistakes they make.
Their game is so aggressive and physical that it makes me feel like I’m competing against guys every time I play Australia. They will take advantage of each slip-up you make, no matter how minor. “If we want any chance of winning against them, we have to be at our absolute best,” Shafali said.
Defeat them without making any blunders. You have to take your best, most certain photos. The match against Australia was a great learning experience for me. The preceding match ended in a defeat for India by a score of 21 runs.
Together, Shafali and India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, had kept her team in the game, but as the necessary run rate rose, the 18-year-old was out trying to hit a big shot.
We were on our game, but we had to take some chances because of the way things were going. We were trailing by 30 runs, so we had to take chances whenever there was a chance to score.
Normally, she’d hit a six with that stroke, but “unfortunately I lost my wicket” that day.
Two of the games were placed at the DY Patil Stadium, while the third and final game will be played at the Brabourne Stadium.
At the DY Patil Stadium, India achieved a dramatic victory in the Super Over.
While the visiting team has had trouble rotating strikes, the home team has eaten up too many dot balls this series.
The DY Patil Stadium wicket is nothing like this one. This pitch is providing good swing for bowlers, but we have no room for excuses.
Our batting instructor has us practicing on singles at the moment. “We’re doing better every day,” she reassured me.
The Indian bowlers have been suffering as well, but according to Shafali, the group is “bowling on single stump” to improve.
The opening also mentioned that Hrishikesh Kanitkar, their batting coach, has been emphasizing the importance of careful “shot selection”
