Shafali Verma
Former India all-rounder Hemlata Kala believes attacking opener Shafali Verma’s role will be crucial in the upcoming pink ball Test against Australia women as she plays “unique cricket” and there will be no challenge for the teenager.
Rohtak-born 17-year-old Shafali scored a total of 159 (96 and 63) on her Test debut against England earlier this year and was named ‘Player of the Match’. He is now a part of the Test team for Australia.
“Shafali has an important role (to play) and I think she will be successful because she has been in red-ball (cricket), because that’s what her game is like. She has a power-hitting game, so I Looks like she will succeed,” Kala, who has played seven Tests, said in a virtual call-to-call with select journalists.
According to Kala, who also served as the chairman of selectors with Shafali, other batsmen also need to be involved. “But at the same time, I would like to say that it is important for us with Shafali that all the batsmen click. In this Test match, because everyone’s technique is different.
Shafali’s role is important and she will play a very important role in this Pink Ball Test.”
Kala, who made her Test debut in 1999 and played her last Test in 2008, also said that girls should look to perform better than they did in England.
“I think the experience of playing Tests with the pink ball will help him in the future. We should do better than what we did in the England Test and we should think that way,” he said.
“I said Australia Test is important for us, because we are playing after a long (time) and a new format. Every format is important for us. The 50-over World Cup is coming up, so to test the skills “It’s good that we play Test matches, because temperament is seen in everything.
“We did well in England (and) I think we will do better with the pink ball. We have got good medium pacers – Jhulan Goswami Pooja Vastrakar And Shikha Pandey and a leg-spinner, I think a leg-spinner will be beneficial with the pink ball, I think it will improve as far as performance is concerned.”
The India Women’s Australia tour will be telecast on Sony Six channels from September 21 at 5.35 am.
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