India opener Shafali Verma credits vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for helping her maintain composure at the crease during the current T20 World Cup and claims that improved mental control has been the key to her comeback from a recent bad run.
With a 64-run triumph over bitter rivals Pakistan and a 95-run thrashing of the Netherlands, the Indian women’s team has gotten off to a strong start in their quest for their first T20 World Cup crown. They now lead Group A with four points more than Australia on net run rate.
Shafali announced a welcome return to form on Wednesday against the Dutch team with a scorching 38-ball 55. In India’s enormous 209/5 against the Netherlands, she and Mandhana put on a 115-run partnership.
“We could not get the partnerships against England (in bilateral series) earlier. But we were talking a lot, helping each other on how we can build more partnerships. We played very well in the last match and after that I worked a lot in the nets. I tried to play along the ground, tried to control myself mentally, and we had a very good partnership,” PTI quoted Shafali as saying referring to the England series before the World Cup.
The hard-hitting opener claimed that she doesn’t need to provide Mandhana with many inputs when batting.
“I do not have to say much, she is very matured. But she keeps telling me — because I feel like hitting a six every time — she is the one who always tells me to stay calm, that you will get the ball and you have to play along the ground,” Shafali said.
“The good thing is that the bowlers whom I cannot hit, she hits, and she has the best seat to tell me what I am doing wrong. And then I have the best seat to tell her that this bowler can take on.
“We both know who has to take the strike when an off-spinner or a left-arm spinner comes on. We have played together for several years and know who has to be given the strike,” she added.
India’s third group A match comes against South Africa on Sunday in Manchester, and Shafali stated the team is prepared for the more difficult tasks.
“As a batting group, we are all in good touch and we all know how crucial the match against South Africa will be for us. Talking about the bowlers, Shree (Charani) bowled really well today taking four wickets (4-0-19-4) and she is a very crucial bowler for us. When we came here to play against England in T20Is (in 2025) she was the Player of the Series and we all know what she can do. Deepti (Sharma) also took a fifer in the last match, so we all are ready,” Shafali said.
Regarding Shreyanka Patil, who limped off the field after hurting her ankle, the Indian opener had little to say.
“She went for a scan and BCCI’s medical team is taking care of her,” Shafali said.
Shafali stated she would like to repeat her all-around performance against the Proteas in the Women’s ODI World Cup final last year.
“I would love to be that again, Player of the Match, but every day is different. I will definitely take the confidence from becoming the Player of the Match in the final. I know their bowlers, I have played a lot with Marizanne Kapp and I know how to react to her so we all are ready,” she said.
