Shafali Verma has been in a formidable form for India in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Her big-hitting ability and fearless approach have not only helped India register wins with ease but also earned her a lot of praise from the cricket fraternity across the globe.
Shafali Verma, the youngest player to win a player of the match award in the T20 World Cup, has already broken the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s result by hitting an international fifty from India. She has played some quick-fire knocks in the tournament so far but she is yet to score a fifty. However, her blitz cameos have helped India to provide a flying start and the scoreboard ticked rapidly.
Verma has so far scored 29, 39, 46 and 47 in the T20 World Cup. And if she continues her power-hitting, she will bag the player of the tournament award as well. Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee is pretty impressed with the youngster. He believes Verma has brought the fearless energy to the Indian side.
Lee, who was considered as one of the fearless bowlers and a lot of batsmen used to afraid while facing him during his time, also said that Shafali Verma will be exciting to watch in the 50-over format but that will be a worry for the bowlers as well.
“Shafali Verma has been excellent at the top of the order, she’s brought fearless energy to India’s batting and been brilliant to watch. You feel she can go even bigger as well – she hasn’t reached 50 yet, which is both exciting for those watching and worrying for the bowlers,” International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Brett Lee as saying.
“We saw from the opener against Australia just how good India can be, and it’s no surprise they’ve continued that form to top Group A. They have never reached the final but this is a different India team from the one they’ve seen before,” Lee added.
The former pacer also feels India has found combined match-winners in Verma and Poonam Yadav – the leg spinner and they compliment each other very well in every game. The Australian bowling great further added that these players can support the big players too through their games.
“They’ve combined match-winners in Shafali Verma and Poonam Yadav with consistent players with both bat and ball. We have always known they have some of the best players in the world but now Harmanpreet Kaur has a team around her that can support the big players, and fill in the gaps when they have an off day,” Lee said.
India have reached the semi-final with four consecutive victories in the group league where they successfully beat the hosts Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka respectively. They will face either England or South Africa in the semi-final on February 5.
