We need to play more elite teams to make a difference, says Sushma Verma  

“I don’t think we lack anywhere, we just need to play more elite teams. That will make a big difference,” Verma was quoted as saying to Cricketnext.  A member of the 2017 World Cup runners-up side, Verma admitted, no one gave them a chance since most of the players were playing their first big major event. India went down to champions England by nine runs but the achievement revolutionised the women’s game back home.

“That was three years back. We did well in the next two T20I World Cups too. In 2017, that was the first time for most of us on such a big stage. No one expected us to do what we did. We knew as a team where we were going and what our goal was. We were doing well till the 43rd over and lost the game in the last 7 overs,” she recalled.

“After coming back the kind of welcome and reception we got from the fans, the kind of change women’s cricket in India has gone through, we feel blessed to be a part of that team.” She also admitted her preparation wasn’t up to the mark – the reason why she was dropped from the national side in 2018.

ALSO READ: Lisa Sthalekar inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Although no player likes to sit out of the setup, the ouster has given the 27-year-old opportunity to reflect on her mistakes and make a comeback bid. “When you are with the team and constantly travelling, it gets difficult to do the practice that you would do on your own. It gets difficult to get the drills according to your requirement. In short, my preparation was not up to the mark,” she said,

“Then when I got dropped, that was the time I sat down with the coach and noted the areas I needed to improve. Also, I got enough time to work on every aspect. I went through those routines, which used to go through previously before getting into the team.”

The right-hander, who has 58 international games in her kitty, was last seen in India colours against England at home in an ODI. Since then, the Shimla-born Verma has been trying to get her basics right, in an attempt to get a look-in in the Indian dressing room.

ALSO READ: Deepti Sharma conferred with the Arjuna Award

With the England tour cancelled due to COVID-19, Verma might have missed a comeback opportunity, but she has set her sights on the Women’s T20 Challenge that will happen alongside men’s IPL in UAE. “I resumed my training keeping in mind the England T20I series. That got cancelled, in the first week of June. I was lucky that I got the permission to train at the ground,” she continued.

“Then there were also talks of having a South Africa series somewhere in October, so was gearing up for that too. Then finally when the IPL was announced, the focus shifted to that completely,” Verma added. Verma turned out for Velocity the previous year, smashing a quickfire 40 from 32 balls in a match against Supernovas.

Coming in at a time when her team was 37 for 5, her innings took the score to a respectable 121. “The experience is always good at playing with the world’s best, including domestic players as well. I remember we were playing in Jaipur – you don’t really expect a lot of crowds – but we heard the next day that the stadium doors were closed because no seats were left. Playing in front of a packed stadium is what we always wanted,” she said.