Shafali Verma speaks with news sources in an exclusive conversation about her double century against South Africa and how she has developed her game since making her debut for India back in 2019.
Shafali’s fearless style is undeniably reminiscent of Sehwag. The 20-year-old, often known as ‘Lady Sehwag’, was honored to be included alongside the former Indian opener. The flamboyant batter draws inspiration from Sehwag’s batting, making life difficult for bowlers throughout the world.
“Being compared to Sehwag sir is a huge deal for me. When I first started playing cricket, Sachin (Tendulkar) and Sehwag sir dominated. And, yeah, I’ve learned a lot from Sehwag sir’s gutsy approach, regardless of the ball of the match.
I occasionally follow his batting,” Shafali told India Today on the sidelines of a promotional event for sportswear company QUA in New Delhi. Back in 2021, a lively 17-year-old made her Test debut with a devastating 96-run knock against an English attack that included Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, and others. But a century escaped her in Bristol when she holed out to Shrubsole while attempting to gather a boundary down the ground from Kate Cross.
It took Shafali three years to get to the three-digit score. Having learned from her 2021 heartbreak, she hit a four all the way around without taking an unnecessary chance. The right-hander didn’t back down and continued to reach her double hundred, but she painfully fell short of surpassing Mithali Raj’s 214, the highest score ever achieved by an Indian woman in a Test match.
Playing for Velocity in the 2019 Women’s T20 Challenge, Shafali seized the spotlight. The 15-year-old faced off against the greatest in the world during the games at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, offering a preview of things to come. That same year, Shafali was selected to play in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup after being quickly promoted to the Indian team.
Shafali has already established himself as India’s strongest player in all three forms after appearing in games in South Africa last year. But behind her success has been the maturity and consistency she has shown, having also plied her trade alongside the legendary Meg Lanning at the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
