India Women’s Cricket Team opener Shafali Verma has exceeded all expectations with two fifties in her Test debut against England Women at the County Ground in Bristol.
She followed up her sensational 96-run knock in the first innings with another unbeaten 55 at the end of Day 3 to keep the visitors in the hunt in the one-off Test.
Smriti Mandhana, who stitched a record-breaking 167-run partnership with Shafali Verma, is in awe of the youngster’s approach in the red-ball format of the game.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, Smriti Mandhana said:
“It’s quite impressive to watch her bat from the other end and also to bat along. I think we both are very similar to keep things simple, so we really don’t discuss much batting in middle.”
“The kind of maturity Shafali has displayed at this stage of her career is good for Indian cricket. It is always amazing to watch the way she plays her shots and I hope she keeps going the same way,” she added.
Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma have put us in a good position: Smriti Mandhana
India Women promoted Deepti Sharma in the second innings after Smriti Mandhana got out cheaply for 8 runs.
Mandhana lauded Deepti and Shafali Verma for batting until the end and putting India Women in a good position. They were 83/1 at stumps and still trailing by 82 runs.
“Shafali and Deepti stitched a good partnership at the end, so I think at the end we were in a good position. I think the condition changed slightly but it wasn’t swinging that much that it wasn’t playable or something. The conditions are still good to bat on,” Smriti Mardhana added.
However, Mandhana was disappointed by the way she got out in the second innings.
“I got out before lunch so yeah I am really disappointed, would love to stay there and come back fresh tomorrow to bat again,” she concluded.
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