NEWSAggressive batting comes naturally to her, declared the world's number one T20I batter Shafali Verma on Tuesday (March 23) after powering India to an easy nine-wicket win over South Africa in the third and final match. The 17-year-old, who regained the number one spot in the ICC T20I rankings on Tuesday, was named player of the series after knocks of 23, 47 and 60.
"I always practice (power-hitting) and work hard on my batting. Ever since I started holding a bat, I have loved to play attacking cricket. That's how it works for me," the big-hitting Shafali said after the match.
Asked about regaining the number one spot in the ICC T20I rankings, she simply said, "I just try to do well and win matches for my team."
Her 60 on Tuesday came from just 30 balls and was studded with seven fours and five sixes. India, however, lost the three-match T20I series 1-2. They had also lost the preceding five-match ODI series 1-4. India captain Smriti Mandhana credited the third match win to team effort.
"It was a good show overall. The bowlers did exceptionally well, and Shafali then just stole the show. This victory belongs to the bowlers," Mandhana, who carried her bat with an unbeaten 48 off 28 balls, said.
Asked if toss, which India won on Tuesday, was too important, she said, "Definitely not. We were pretty much in the game yesterday (second match) till the very end. "Yes, toss is important but can't use that as an excuse. We lagged behind in the first two games, so I'm proud that we bounced back strong tonight. After losing the series, it needs a lot of motivation to play like we did tonight."
She said Tuesday's win was important for our future assignments. South Africa captain Sune Luus said it was a "magical" tour as they could beat India on home turf. "I don't think anyone expected us to take two series wins home. So it's a special moment for us irrespective of how we fared tonight. The management and players can be extremely proud. It's been a magical tour," she said.
"It's important for youngsters to get opportunities. We aren't always going to have our senior players around. So it's important for these players to learn while they're there."
Luus lauded Shafali for her attacking cricket and predicted that the Indian youngster will become a legend of the game. "When she (Shafali) plays like today, it's very difficult to stop her. She is going to be a legend of the game."
'Felt somewhere I might be lacking something'
Far from disappointed at being overlooked for ODIs despite her swashbuckling T20 show, Shafali says it motivates her to work harder as "deep down", she knows there is "something" lacking in her game.
"When I wasn't picked for the one-dayers, I felt somewhere I might be lacking something," Verma said in an online press conference after the match.
"But I did not go ask the captain or the coach, because I knew deep down that if my name was not there, it is probably because I only lack something," she added.
The Haryana-girl said she feels driven to become a better player every time she is left out of ODIs.
"...I need to work more on my fitness, and one-dayers would be my goal, whenever I get that chance. Not getting named in the one-day squad is a motivation for me to play even better," she insisted.
"I wasn't overly disappointed but I saw it as a huge motivating factor. I motivated myself to work even harder and play better," she said.
Verma's approach to the game is rather simple. The see-ball-hit-ball mantra has worked tremendously well for her and she said the aggression is a natural aspect of her batting.
"I always practice (power-hitting) and work hard on my batting. Ever since I started holding a bat, I have loved to play attackingly. That's how it works for me," the big-hitting Shafali said.
And when she does make the ODI squad, Verma said, "The focus would be on spending as much time on the wicket as possible and score as many runs as I can."
"No matter what position I get to play in, I will try to extend my innings for as long as possible and score well."
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