Playing Australia appears like I’m competing towards males, they’re the perfect facet: Shafali Verma

Shafali Verma loves hitting the ball out of the park however the pleasure of slamming an Australian for a boundary is unmatched, says the explosive India opener, who’s reminded of the boys’s crew whereas competing towards the celebs from Down Under.

Having made her India debut as a 15-year-old prodigy, Shafali has come a good distance and alongside the elegant Smriti Mandhana, types probably the most explosive opening pairings in ladies’s cricket.

After failing a few instances earlier than, the big-hitting Shafali, who has 5 WT20I fifties, lastly scored her maiden half-century towards Australia earlier this week, when she hit a 41-ball 52. Her knock encrusted with six boundaries and three sixes.

“I love playing against Australia. Aisa lagta hai ki ladkon ke sath hi khel rahe hain (it feels like you are playing against men),” Shafali mentioned on the eve of the fourth T20I towards Australia.

FIFTY for @TheShafaliVerma – Her 5⃣th in T20Is! 🙌 🙌

This has been a high quality knock from the #StaffIndia teenager 👏 👏

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/jH1N1OiNqc #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/jk1tS5T3MW

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 14, 2022

“When I hit a four (against an Australian), I get boosted, and feel that I’ve improved as a player, because Australia is the best side (in women’s cricket). I’m always happy when I hit boundaries off the Australian bowlers. I don’t get so much happiness when I hit boundaries against England or any other team,” she added.

Currently trailing 1-2, India should eke out a win within the fourth T20 to remain alive within the five-match sequence and Shafali is aware of they can not afford any slip-ups because the Australians are wanting to capitalize on the smallest of errors.

“When I play against Australia, it feels like I’m playing against men, because their game is like that. If they see a small mistake that you are making, they will take advantage of it. So we have to be on top of our game against them,” Shafali mentioned.

“You can’t make mistakes against them. You have to play your best shots, which you are confident about. I learnt a lot while playing against Australia.” India succumbed to a 21-run loss within the earlier sport.

Shafali and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur had stored India within the contest however because the required run charge elevated the 18-year-old, seeking to hit some massive pictures, ended up dropping her wicket.

“We have been enjoying nicely, however the scenario was such that we needed to take dangers. We have been 30 runs behind, and that scenario demanded that you just needed to go for pictures if there was a unfastened ball.

“That shot usually goes for six, but on that day, unfortunately I lost my wicket,” she mentioned.

The first two fixtures have been performed on the DY Patil Stadium whereas the third sport was held on the Brabourne Stadium, which may even host the remaining two matches. India had pulled off an exhilarating Super Over win on the DY Patil Stadium. But the house batters have additionally struggled to rotate strike, consuming too many dot balls within the sequence.

“This wicket isn’t much like the one on the DY Patil Stadium. Bowlers are producing good swing on this wicket, however we actually can’t give excuses.

“We are working on the singles under the guidance of the batting coach. Day by day, we are improving,” she mentioned.

The Indian bowlers have additionally been struggling however Shafali mentioned the bunch is placing within the arduous yards, “bowling on single stump”.

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The opener added that batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has requested her to give attention to her “shot selection.”