Shafali Verma opens up on her 80*-run knock vs RCB
What's the story
Delhi Capitals' young batter Shafali Verma exuded confidence after her team's dominant nine-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2025.
The match was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
With this win, Delhi Capitals confirmed their playoff berth, becoming the first team to do so in this year's tournament.
Talking about her brilliant knock, as quoted by Delhi Capitals press release, Verma stated, "Once we settled in, we were able to play our shots confidently."
Match highlights
Verma's stellar performance propels Delhi Capitals to victory
Verma's brilliant show was key to her team's win. She scored 80* off just 43 balls, playing a crucial role in the chase of the target set by RCB.
"As a batter, you have to start from zero every time... Our bowlers did a great job in the first innings, and our planning has been going well," she said after her match-winning knock.
"I backed myself to stay at the crease," she further added about her mindset during the knock.
Strategy insights
Team's strategy and execution praised by Verma
Verma credited the team's brilliant strategy and execution for their win.
She admitted that early hiccups in the chase were dealt with once she and her partner Jess Jonassen got settled.
"I knew that if I spent some time in the middle, my eyesight would adjust, and things would get easier. Once Jess and I settled in, the runs started flowing," she said, underlining their ability to withstand pressure.
Winning partnership
Verma and Jonassen's partnership proves crucial
Verma also spoke about her successful partnership with Australian all-rounder Jonassen, who scored 61* off 38 balls.
The duo put together a formidable second-wicket stand of 146 runs, the highest for that wicket in WPL history.
"Playing with JJ is always fun... The key was communicating and reminding each other to stay till the end," she said, highlighting their effective collaboration on the field.
Personal milestone
Verma's 1st half-century of the season
This win also happened to be Verma's first half-century of the current WPL season.
She was relieved and happy to have achieved the milestone after getting close on multiple occasions in previous matches.
"My aim was to first score a 50 because I was getting out in the forties... I was really happy that I got the half-century and remained not out," she said.
Learning experience
Verma learns valuable lessons from her captain
Verma also shared her learning experience from her captain Meg Lanning, who has had an inconsistent run in this WPL.
"The ability to back yourself during a bad phase has been my biggest learning playing with Meg," she said, demonstrating her respect for Lanning's leadership despite the ups and downs of individual performance.
Form
A look a the batter's recent form this season
Verma's 80* versus RCB was laced with 8 fours and 4 sixes.
She consumed 43 balls and her strike rate was 186.05.
Notably, this follows a 28-ball 43 she hammered on Friday against the Mumbai Indians.
Meanwhile, Verma has raced to 260 runs from 7 matches this season at 43.33, while striking at 159.60.
As mentioned, it was her maiden fifty this season.
Stats
Verma's overall WPL numbers
She has raced to 821 runs from 25 matches at an average of 37.31.
Verma has managed a strike rate of 165.62.
The batter slammed her sixth fifty. Notably, Verma has 46 sixes in the tournament.
Meanwhile, her best score in the WPL so far is 84, which she hammered against RCB in 2023.
Match recap
Delhi Capitals secure playoff spot with dominant victory
As mentioned, the Delhi Capitals have qualified for the WPL 2025 playoffs after a thumping nine-wicket victory over RCB.
The match saw DC chase down a target of 148, ending at 151 for 1 in only 15.3 overs.
Verma and Jonassen played a key role in the win, scoring unbeaten 80 and 61, respectively.
Their efforts took DC to their second consecutive win this season.
However, RCB suffered their fourth consecutive home defeat this season.