Indian ODI skipper Mithali Raj has been really impressed with the 15-year-old Shafali Verma as she praised the explosive opener by saying that she can serve the women’s team for a long time with proper grooming and exposure.

While talking to PTI about Verma, Raj said, “I seriously think that she (Shafali) is a talented youngster. And given the right kind of exposure and mentored properly, she can be the future player for India.”

The 36-year-old who retired recently from T20 cricket wants her ODI team to do well in the upcoming home series against South Africa women, even though this series is not part of the ICC Championship.

“Though we don’t have the ICC Championship points, I want the ODI side to do well (in the series against South Africa), it gives exposure to the young players in the team as well as match exposure for us before the West Indies tour,” she said.

As the right-hand batter now plays only one format, Mithali believes she has more time to work on her fitness as she said, “I have more time to work as a player on my skill on my fitness. I can give more importance to exclusively train on my strength and fitness sessions, which can help me come fresh for the ODI series.”

Raj then signed off by talking about her fitness routine by adding, “My fitness routine consists of running, strength and of course walking, because at times when we don’t have access to facilities, the simplest thing to do is to walk for 30-45 minutes, because in way it helps to decrease the stiffness.”

(With PTI inputs)