Shafali Verma, the Indian women's cricket team opener, has credited increased mental discipline for her comeback after a rough period, and she says vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has played an important role in helping her stay collected at the crease during the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England.
India has made an outstanding start to the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, aiming for their first title. They began with a 64-run victory over archrival Pakistan before hammering the Netherlands by 95 runs to clinch Group A with four points and a net run rate of 3.975.
Shafali proved her worth, scoring 55 off 38 balls, returning to form. She also added a 115-run partnership for the first wicket as India piled up 209/5.
“We could not get the partnerships against England (in bilateral series) earlier. But we were talking a lot, helping each other on how we could build more partnerships. We played very well in the last match, and after that, I worked a lot in the nets. I tried to play on the ground and tried to control myself mentally, and we had a very good partnership,” Shafali said in the post-match press conference.
Shafali also spoke about receiving kind advice from Smriti Mandhana about which bowlers she can hit and staying calm despite adrenaline rushing.
“I do not have to say much; she is very mature. But she keeps telling me — because I feel like hitting a six every time — she is the one who always tells me to stay calm, that you will get the ball, and that you have to play along the ground.
The good thing is that the bowlers whom I cannot hit, she hits, and she has the best seat to tell me what I am doing wrong. And then I have the best seat to tell her that this bowler can take on. We both know who has to take the strike when an off-spinner or a left-arm spinner comes on. We have played together for several years and know who has to be given the strike," she added.
In their third Group A match, India will play South Africa in Manchester on Sunday. According to Shafali, the team is ready for a more difficult challenge.
“As a batting group, we are all in good touch, and we all know how crucial the match against South Africa will be for us. Talking about the bowlers, Shree (Charani) bowled really well today, taking four wickets, and she is a very crucial bowler for us. When we came here to play against England in T20Is (in 2025), she was the Player of the Series, and we all know what she can do. Deepti (Sharma) also took a fifer in the last match, so we are all ready,” Shafali said.
Shafali also gave an update on Shreyanka Patil, who twisted her ankle during the Netherlands game and was stretchered off.
“She went for a scan, and BCCI’s medical team is taking care of her," Shafali said.
Shafali stated that she expects to gain confidence from her all-around performance in the Women's ODI World Cup final against South Africa last year.
“I would love to be that again, the Player of the Match, but every day is different. I will definitely take the confidence from becoming the Player of the Match in the final. I know their bowlers; I have played a lot with Marizanne Kapp, and I know how to react to her, so we are all ready," she added.
(PTI inputs)
