The goal will always be to contribute to India's success: Shafali Verma

Shafali Verma's journey to the international arena has been nothing short of a dream. At just 16, the youngster from Haryana was the cynosure of the Indian team in the ICC Women'sT20 World Cup 2020 last month. Her attacking approach at the top of the order was one of the positives from the tournament which saw the side through to final for the first time in history. In a side that boasts of big names like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali's dazzling batting left her peers behind and catapulted her atop of the competition batting charts.

Having made her name on the biggest stage, Shafali is now keen to improve on her allround game and help India become world-beaters. India came close to securing their maiden ICC title this year in Australia, but they eventually ran out of steam against a professional Australian unit. The Indian opener though believes that the loss in the final could only help the team going forward.

“Just didn’t go our way that day (in the final),” Shafali said. “But sports is all about winning and losing. There will be other opportunities that will go our way. What happened we cannot change, but what will happen is in our hands and we will not leave any stone unturned as we look to be the best in the business.”

ALSO READ: Shafali uses forced break to recover from leg strain

The right-handed batter had a prolific tournament with the bat, scoring 163 runs at a good average of 32.60 and an excellent strike-rate of 158.25, the best amongst all. Although the numbers gave her confidence Shafali regretted not being able to win the trophy for her team. “My job is to go out there and score runs and put India in an advantageous position. It obviously feels good when people appreciate your performance, but the trophy in the hand would have felt so much better,” she rued.

With the entire country in lockdown mode due to rapidly rising threat of Coronavirus, Shafali, like all of her teammates, is working on staying fit and follow the module given to her by the Haryana Cricket Association (HCA). “I have been working hard on my fitness and it helps that HCA has given us customised fitness charts keeping in mind the areas we need to work on,” she said. “With us staying indoors at this point in time, the chart further helps as it has workouts planned in a way that we can easily do them at home and don’t need to go to a gym.”

The HCA has also organised individual sessions with a sports psychologist and Shafali said it’s imperative that there’s someone looking after the needs in such crucial times. “At these times, a lot of negative thoughts can seep into the mind. But speaking to the sports psychologist helped a lot. The motivation has helped stay positive in these tough times,” she explained.

ALSO READ: Shafali Verma - The big-hitting kid on the block

Ego clashes are one of many that can harm any side in a team sport. But Shafali denied having any in the Indian side which comprises both seniors and juniors. “You know, there is nothing like seniors will speak and juniors have to listen or things like that,” she stated. “It is a very relaxed atmosphere and in fact not just seniors like Harmanpreet Kaur or Smriti Mandhana, everyone is looking to push the other the extra mile. And we have a really amazing coach in WV Raman sir."

“The best part about Raman sir is that he always has solutions ready and helps out whenever we are stuck. If there is an issue I am facing, I can always go up to him and get clarity on how to work my way out. He just has a brilliant mind and can easily instill confidence,” she added.

About the explosive partnership that Shafali had with fellow senior-pro Mandhana at the top of the order, she said the brief was to play natural game. “We would keep it simple. If there is a bad ball, it must be hit and there are no two ways about it. So, when I get a bad ball, I hit it and the same works for her. And when we get a good ball, we try and steal a single out of it. Nothing beats staying true to your game. Trying to curb your natural instincts don’t work I feel,” said Shafali who idolizes Sachin Tendulkar. “The goal will always be to contribute to India's success.”