ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has already started, but today’s event will be special as all eyes will be on India’s women’s team as they embark on their journey to claim their first-ever title. Today (October 4) India will begin their campaign, facing off against New Zealand.
Shafali Verma excited for the opening match
In an exclusive interview with Star Sports, Indian cricketer Shafali Verma shared her enthusiasm about the opening game against New Zealand and the challenge of facing Sophie Devine. “It’s exciting to play against New Zealand after a long time. We’ve been preparing for the World Cup for the past 6-7 months, and we’re all looking forward to it. Sophie Devine is a fearless batter, so we’ll aim to get her out early,” she said.
On-field Chemistry with Smriti Mandhana
Shafali also spoke about her on-field partnership with Smriti Mandhana, highlighting their strong connection developed over the last few years. “I’ve been opening with Smriti for the past 2-3 years, and we can sense each other’s feelings just through our facial expressions while batting. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, providing each other with positive vibes. It’s crucial for us to perform well for our teammates and the country during the powerplay,” she added. She praised Smriti’s exceptional timing and her ability to build innings, stating, “Those are the two things I admire most about her batting.”
Praise for captain Harmanpreet Kaur
On the topic of team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali expressed her admiration, saying, “Harmanpreet di is very passionate about the game. Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for her, and I hope we can make that dream come true. She’s a great player, a great teammate, and an inspiring captain.”
Reflecting on her debut at the 2020 Women’s World Cup
Speaking about her debut at the age of 16 in the 2020 Women’s World Cup, Shafali recalled, “I really enjoyed my first World Cup experience. It was a significant moment for me to debut at 16, and I loved being in Australia. The tournament was special, and I performed well for the team. Thinking back always brings a smile to my face. We were so close to winning, but hopefully, we can change that this time around.”
Memorable experience playing at the MCG
Recalling her experience playing in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Shafali described the overwhelming atmosphere, saying, “I couldn’t hear anything because of the massive crowd. It was a completely new experience to play in front of such a big audience. I was lost in the atmosphere and noise, but I’ve learned to focus more now. If I were in that situation again, I wouldn’t feel the same pressure.”
Celebrating U19 World Cup win
Reflecting on her achievement in winning the U19 World Cup, Shafali stated, “Winning the U19 World Cup was monumental—not just for me, but for my family, my country, and every woman out there. It was a memorable day, and I cried tears of joy. That moment continues to motivate me whenever I see the pictures because I achieved something no other woman in India had. The whole team was very close, and I hope we can do well in 2024 too.”
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