Women's World T20: Only an 'excellent' team can stop India from reaching final, says Brett Lee
Cricket | March 03, 2020 10:59 ISTIndia have been unbeaten so far in the Women's World T20 and topped Group A on their way to the semi-finals.
India have been unbeaten so far in the Women's World T20 and topped Group A on their way to the semi-finals.
The 16-year-old announced her emergence on the global stage by becoming the second highest run getter in the ongoing tournament. She has so far scored 161 runs, hitting 18 fours and nine sixes in four matches at an astounding strike rate of 161.
On Thursday, the 16-year-old batswoman won her second Player of the Match award in three games at the ongoing tournament. Her 34-ball 46 against New Zealand took India to their third win in three games - and the semi-final.
They have their own talented teenager in their ranks in Shafali Verma, who has taken the world by storm with her fearless opening displays in each of India's three wins.
It was an all-round show from the Indian bowlers as they restricted New Zealand to 129/6 in their chase of 134 to win the game by 4 runs.
Smriti Mandhana, who has been a key player for the Indian team in the last two-three years, said Shafali Verma is showing she is capable of filling her boots.
Shafali Verma gave strong starts to India in both the games of the T20 World Cup so far, scoring 29 and 39 in merely 15 and 17 deliveries respectively.
The four players - Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Rajeshwari Gaekwad and Shikha Pandey - also stressed on the importance of fitness and preparation ahead of the mega event.
Shafali had on Monday clicked a picture with Tendulkar and uploaded it on social media with a heart-warming post.
The 16-year-old clicked a picture with Sachin Tendulkar and uploaded it on her Instagram account with a heart-warming post.
Chasing a huge total of 174, Indian eves rode on a sublime opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana who took the Australian bowlers to the cleaners right from the start.
Sixteen-year-old Shafali Verma finally came good, blasting a 28-ball 49 to give India a flying start. Her innings contained eight fours and a six.
India women's cricketer Smriti Mandhana heaped praise on the 15-year-old Shafali Verma after her exploits at the international level.
Shafali will be part of the 15-member Indian squad that travels to Australia for the Women's T20 World Cup slated to be held from February 21 to March 8.
Haynes said having watched Verma from close quarters during India A's series Down Under, they are now preparing ways to tackle the right-hander in the run-up to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener between India and Australia at Sydney on February 21.
Chasing 132 in the final played at the Barabati Stadium, opener Shafali smashed 89 from just 45 balls, which consisted of 15 fours and 2 sixes.
15-year-old India women's cricketer Shafali Verma has impressed Australia A coach Leah Poulton with her century last month.
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