7 months ago
4
Almost precisely a twelvemonth aft her past ODI outing successful India blues, Shafali Verma finds herself backmost successful the nationalist set-up — this clip with a changeable astatine redemption connected the grandest stage. The 21-year-old was drafted into the squad arsenic Pratika Rawal’s wounded replacement up of India’s Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal against defending champion Australia astatine the DY Patil Stadium connected Thursday.
Having joined the squad aft being informed of her enactment portion with the Haryana squad for the Senior Women’s T20 tourney successful Surat, Shafali admitted that the circumstances were bittersweet.
“What happened with Pratika was unfortunate. No subordinate wants to spot a teammate injured,” she said, adding that she sees this arsenic a accidental “sent by God to bash thing good.”
Back successful the premix aft a beardown home run, Shafali said she feels assured and acceptable if fixed an opportunity. Having featured successful respective high-pressure games before, she believes acquisition volition assistance her grip the semifinal signifier calmly.
“It’s each astir keeping my caput wide and trusting myself. I’ve been successful specified situations earlier, truthful I’ll conscionable enactment calm and backmost my game.”
Adapting from T20s to the 50-over format, Shafali said she has worked hard successful the nets implicit the past 2 days to fine-tune her rhythm. She credited the squad absorption and elder players for making her consciousness invited and backing her earthy attacking game. “There’s nary pressure. I’ve been told to play freely — respect the bully balls and onslaught the ones successful my range,” she said.
