Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday (February 26) showered rich praise on her fellow opener Shafali Verma, who is having a great time in the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup down under.

In the absence of Mandhana, the 16-year-old Shafali scored 39 off 17 balls (2 fours and 4 sixes) to set up India’s comfortable 18-run victory over Bangladesh in Perth on February 24.

Read More: Wanted to take the responsibility in Mandhana's absence, says Shafali Verma

The tournament opener against Australia in Sydney last week saw the teen sensation making 15-ball 29 (5 fours and 1 six) to lead the foundation for India’s 17-run win.

"I used to score a lot of our runs in the last two of three years, especially in the Powerplay, but now with Shafali coming in, she's getting the runs in the way I do. It makes the team more balanced," Mandhana said on the eve of India's group match against New Zealand.

"Shafali has been a huge positive coming into the T20 side. The way she's going about her batting, it's so easy to bat alongside her," she added.

Shafali’s strike-rate after India’s two games in the showpiece event is 212. She was adjudged Player-of-the-Match in the game against Bangladesh.

"I used to have a major role in Powerplays, but Shafali is getting the quick runs in those first overs now too. She's made a huge impact and the team has become more balanced thanks to her," Smriti said.

The southpaw said Verma's best attribute is the "routine she likes to follow and no one has gone in and told her she has to change that".

Commenting on Thursday's clash against the white Ferns, Mandhana said, "I don't think we will be going into the game thinking about a total, but we will continue playing the way that is working for all of our batters."

(With PTI inputs)