Shafali Verma trains with men's team to improve short-ball game
Shafali Verma became an overnight sensation following her swashbuckling innings in the Women's T20 Challenger Trophy for Velocity. Subsequently, she was called in India's national set-up and was handed her T20I debut in 2019. Two years after her international debut, Shafali is aware of the need to constantly enhance and evolve her game. Currently, she is focused on improving her short-ball game.
Why does it matter?
Shafali along with Smriti Mandhana have formed the most explosive opening duo in women's cricket in the last 24 months, having made her debut at 15. Despite her intimidating approach, Shafali was seen backing away against short balls during India's recent tours of England and Australia. But, she is not ready to let it be her unbecoming and is currently working on it.
Shafali is training in Gurugram
To overcome her shortcomings, the 17-year-old is facing 200 to 250 balls from the Under-25 men's bowlers. She is undergoing her training under the watchful eyes of her coach Ashwani Kumar at Shri Ram Narain Cricket Academy of Gurugram. The youngster is negotiating the higher speed-balls from the players from U-25 men's team on cemented, astroturf, and normal wickets, she is also facing throwdowns.
Shafali wants to get better in facing short balls
Shafali highlighted she needs to work on playing the short ball. "It feels good that I have been able to complete two years in international cricket but there is a long way to go. I know the areas of my game I need to get better at and one of them is playing the short ball," Shafali told PTI.
Shafali Verma's international numbers
So far, Shafali has played 28 T20Is for India, scoring 687 runs at an impressive strike rate of 142.53 and an average of 25.44. She has represented India in six ODIs, amassing 164 runs. The 17-year-old Shafali has donned the whites on two occasions. She has scored 242 runs in Test cricket at 60.50 (three fifties).
Shafali's coach on her work ethics
Heaping praises on the teenager, Shafali's coach Ashwani said that the former will improve her technique and game with time and experience. "We must not forget that she is still 17. Her dream Test debut shows that she has got the required technique to succeed at the highest level," Ashwani said.
