At 16, Shafali Verma was India’s highest run scorer in her first senior T20 World Cup in 2020. Seven months earlier, she had turn out to be the youngest to function in a T20 International on the age of 15. And so when she was caught behind by Alyssa Healy, within the third ball of an unsuccessful chase, whereas attempting to go for a boundary, it was simply seen as an off day for one of the crucial promising younger cricketers.
Cut to 3 years later, watching her lead India within the maiden U19 Women’s T20 World Cup closing shouldn’t come as a shock. However, the journey because the 2020 World Cup hasn’t been as clean as many believed it could be for Shafali. Sunday presents a possibility for Shafali to create glad recollections of an ICC occasion.
With over 2,000 runs in 74 video games, Shafali has had a combined run with the senior facet. In T20Is, the format she has most featured in, the explosive opener scored 487 runs in her first 19 matches at a strike fee above 146 up till the 2020 closing in Melbourne.
In the subsequent 32 outings, the strike fee dropped to 127.83. In the ODIs, whereas she averages a tad higher than the shorterest format, she was dropped for 3 consecutive video games on the World Cup final 12 months.
When India and England conflict within the #U19T20WorldCup closing tomorrow, there can be 🎆
Who are you backing❓ pic.twitter.com/4TDZsQjZZJ
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) January 28, 2023
At the Under-19 World Cup, as essentially the most skilled participant within the facet, she has needed to information the crew.
“Yes, I’ve played a lot of finals and seen it all,” Shafali, who turned 19 on Saturday, stated on the eve of the ultimate.
“It’s about going out there and enjoying the game. I’ve told the teammates ‘don’t stress, just give your 100 percent without thinking of it as the final. Just believe in yourself. It’s all past and that cannot be recreated. We are determined to bring the World Cup this time and are trying to improve day by day,” she added.
India suffered one defeat within the Super Six league stage the place they misplaced to Australia after being bowled out for 87.
“We had nervous moments and couldn’t sleep, thinking about whether we could make the final or not… But we have learnt from the mistakes and here we are. Now we’re all very confident, clear of our roles. Everyone is enjoying each other’s company and staying normal, we are not thinking much.I may be senior to many of them but I’ve told them ‘on the ground we all are equal’ it’s about keeping everyone comfortable,” Shafali stated.
In the semifinal, India registered an eight-wicket win after their bowlers restricted the New Zealanders to an under-par 107/9.
India can be up towards a robust England facet that topped its Super Six group by successful all of the 4 matches. They suffered a batting debacle within the semifinal towards Australia once they have been bowled out for 99 in 19.5 overs. But their bowling assault fought again to maintain Australia to 96 in 18.4 overs.
“We are determined to bring the World Cup this time” 💬
Shafali Verma is in excessive spirits forward of the mouthwatering closing conflict on the Women’s #U19T20WorldCup 🤩https://t.co/TDGoKKsUAO
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) January 28, 2023
Aggressive England
Positive intent has been a key phrase for English cricket of late. From Eoin Morgan’s white ball revolution to Brendon McCullum’s Bazball philosophy in Test cricket. It had rubbed off on the Under-19 facet too. “We set out as a group and as a coaching staff for the U19s to play with a positive mindset,” captain Grace Scrivens had instructed Sky Sports. “That might have been influenced by people higher up, but we were all keen on buying into the positive intent and mindset that we have shown.”
On the eve of the ultimate, the England skipper spoke concerning the positives. “It was unbelievable to be a part of it (final). It’s about resetting and going to the next game. We want to play with a positive mindset, and play fearless cricket. I’m sure yesterday’s collapse will not affect us,” Grace stated.
Teams: (India): Shafali Verma, Shweta Sehrawat, Gongadi Trisha, Soumya Tiwari, Sonia Mehdiya, Richa Ghosh, Hrishita Basu, Titas Sadhu, Mannat Kashyap, Parshavi Chopra, Sonam Yadav, Shabnam, Falak Naz and Yashasri Soppadhandhi
(England): Grace Scrivens, Ellie Anderson, Hannah Bakers, Josie Groves, Liberty Heap, Niamh Holland, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Emma Marlov, Charis Pavley, Davina Perrin, Lizzie Scott, Seren Smale, Sophia Smale, Alexa Stonehouse and Maddie Ward.
U19 Women’s T20 World Cup closing, Live on FanCode, Star Sports Network, 5:15 pm
