Women's Cricket
'Smriti is an Exceptional Timer of the Ball': Shafali Verma
With a positive mindset and a strong bond with her opening partner, Shafali is ready to take on the challenges of the tournament.
Indian cricketer Shafali Verma has opened up about her strong on-field partnership with fellow opener Smriti Mandhana, highlighting their unique ability to understand each other's emotions during matches.
Speaking to Star Sports, Shafali remarked, "We can sense each other's feelings just by our facial expressions while batting."
Shafali, who has been opening alongside Mandhana for the past few years, acknowledged their crucial role in the team's success, especially during the powerplay.
"We know how important we both are to the team, so we try to perform well for ourselves, our teammates, and the country," she stated.
Admiring Mandhana's skills, Shafali said, "Smriti di is an exceptional timer of the ball and knows how to build an innings."
Their synergy has been a key factor in the Indian women’s cricket team's recent dominance.
As the team prepares for their opening match against New Zealand in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup, Shafali expressed excitement about the tournament.
She highlighted skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's dream of winning the World Cup, mentioning, "Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for her, and I hope we can make that dream come true."
Reflecting on her own World Cup journey, Shafali, who made her debut at just 16, recalled the thrilling experience of playing in front of a large crowd in Australia during the 2020 final.
"It was a big deal for me to debut at 16. I enjoyed the cricket and exploring the country," she said, hoping to achieve success this time around.
With a positive mindset and a strong bond with her opening partner, Shafali is ready to take on the challenges of the tournament.