India’s team that will play U19 Women’s T20 World Skipper Shafali Verma will be the only one with the experience of being in two finals with the senior women’s team in the cup final against England at the JB Marks Oval on Sunday.
Making a big splash at the T20I level at the age of 16, Shafali got her first brush of pressure in the 2020 World Cup final when India He was dismissed for 99 while chasing a target of 185 against Australia in front of 86,174 fans at the iconic Melbourne. Cricket Field.
She dropped Alyssa Healy at cover off the fifth ball of the match and then saw her score 75 off 39 balls. With the bat, she fell early to Megan Schutt as India’s chase never got going. Fast forward to 2022 and in the final of the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston against the same opposition, Shafali took two balls to spare after Megan dropped her catch at cover.
Now, on the eve of the 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final against England, Shafali, who turned 19 on Saturday, was asked by IANS at the pre-final press conference what she told her team about their approach in the final. What advice did you give? Through her past experiences in 2020 and 2022 at a tournament, her answer was, “enjoying the match and believing in myself”.
,How many finals have been played (Yes, I have played those finals in 2020 and 2022 and seen it all). My experience which I shared with teammates is ‘it’s about going out there and enjoying the game’,” he said.
I also told him that don’t think it is the final, just give your 100 per cent all the time and if you play the final enjoying the game, then it will be good. If someone plays the final in a tense manner, the match will also go that way. I have told him to enjoy the match and believe in himself and play the game.”
Asked if there were words of encouragement from senior women counterparts playing in the tri-series in East London, Shafali said there were no conversations. “I haven’t spoken to all of them yet. I spoke to Harman Di before coming here and he shared his leadership experience with me. Other than that I haven’t spoken to anyone yet.”
Prior to the tournament, India had plenty of playing time through the quadrangular series and won 5–0 against New Zealand’s developmental side before whitewashing hosts South Africa 4–0.
They topped Group D with three comprehensive wins before Australia gave them a reality check by bowling them out for 87 in 18.5 overs, a match that was ‘very tense’ for the Indian team.
“We had moments of panic and couldn’t sleep, wondering whether we could make it to the finals or not. But we have learned from our mistakes and are here (in the final). Now we are all confident and clear in our respective roles. Everyone is enjoying each other’s company and being normal we are not thinking too much. We are thinking that we have to give our 100 per cent on the field tomorrow.”
As Shafali turned a year old, she expressed her gratitude to her family, especially her father, Sanjeev, who was her constant supporter, who introduced her to the sport in Rohtak, Haryana, and then helped her rise through the ranks. grew from
“He has helped me a lot. He has always told me ‘you are the best’ and ‘you have everything’. He always kept me going and I am here because of all the sacrifices he and my family have made.”
“Thank you papa for supporting me and making me practice keeping the neighbors away. If I win the trophy, there will be one for Papa. I will always be grateful to you for supporting me and if it were not for that, I would not be here today.”
Ahead of the final, a contest that has been built up as a potential match-decider is between India’s skilful spinners and England’s batsmen at the helm, led by skipper Grace Scrivens. Shafali signed off hoping to execute her plans on the field in the final.
“He has done really well to be in the final. Whatever analysis I have done of him, his all-rounder is very good and hits very well against the deliveries as well. We have strategised for him and hopefully we can hit the ground running.” But will implement them.”
Sunday presents a golden opportunity for India to clinch their first global trophy in their history of playing women’s cricket. In a country where India made it to the final of the Women’s World Cup for the first time 18 years ago (in the 2005 ODI World Cup final), Shafali would want her team to play the final like any other game and get their hands on the trophy. Another revolution has started in women’s cricket in the country.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)