NEWS
Follow UsIndia will begin their Asia Cup defense on July 19 (Friday) in Dambulla, and one individual that will be integral to the side’s chances is Shafali Verma, the destroyer-in-chief for the side up top.
Shafali has blown hot and cold in T20Is this year - averaging 29.25 and striking at 126.48 - but the 20-year-old is someone who has the ability to take the game away from the opponent inside the first few overs of the contest.
The same is underlined by her career powerplay strike rate of 133.59, which is the highest among all batters in the world since her debut back in September 2019.
While the right-hander would love for her average of 24.27 to be a bit higher, she is more than happy to just perform her role in the side, which, she believes, is to wreak havoc up top.
“I think my role is to go and use the powerplay,” Shafali told Star Sports ahead of the Pakistan clash.
“The team benefits a lot from the strike rate I play usually, So my role is to settle at the middle and score for the team.”
In three months’ time, the India women will be eyeing to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time. Shafali believes that winning the Asia Cup will be a good starting point for the side, for it will give them plenty of confidence and put them on the right track.
“You get confidence when you win the Asia Cup. And we will surely try to do well in the Asia Cup and win it,” she said.
India will enter the Asia Cup having won seven of their last eight T20Is. Needless to say, Shafali is more than pleased with the side’s preparation for the multi-team event.
“I think the preparations are good because we had a great South Africa series and we are all well prepared for the Asia Cup. I hope our team does well and I can contribute for my team,” she signed off.
If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.
