Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for Harmanpreet Kaur, hope we can make it come true: Shafali Verma

As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks, all eyes are on Team India as they set out to make 'HerStory' by chasing their first-ever title. India begin their campaign on October 4, taking on New Zealand.

Shafali shared her thoughts on the opening game against New Zealand and facing Sophie Devine. “Yes, our first game is against New Zealand, and it’s exciting to face them after a long time. We’ve been preparing for the World Cup for the past 6-7 months, and we’re all looking forward to it. Sophie Devine is a fearless batter, so we’ll try to get her out early.”

Shafali also spoke on her on-field relationship with Smriti Mandhana.“I’ve been opening with Smriti for the past 2-3 years, and now we can sense each other’s feelings just by our facial expressions while batting. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and we give each other positive vibes. We understand how important we both are to the team, especially during the powerplay, so we try to perform well for ourselves, our teammates, and the country. Smriti di is an exceptional timer of the ball, and she knows how to build an innings. These are the two things I admire most about her batting—her timing and her ability to construct a big innings.”

Shafali further revealed what kind of bond she has with captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket team – Harmanpreet Kaur. “Harmanpreet di is very passionate about the game. Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for her, and I hope we can make that dream come true. She’s a great player, a great teammate, and a fantastic captain who inspires and motivates us all the time.”

Asked about her experience of debuting at 16 in the 2020 Women’s World Cup, Shafali stated, “I really enjoyed my first World Cup experience. It was a big deal for me to debut at 16, and I loved being in Australia. It wasn’t just the cricket; I also enjoyed exploring the country. The tournament was special, and I performed well for the team. Thinking back to that World Cup always brings a smile to my face. We were so close to winning, but hopefully, we can change that this time around.”

Shafali also recalled playing the final at the MCG. “I couldn’t hear anything because of the massive crowd. It was a completely new experience for me to play in front of such a big audience. I was lost in the atmosphere and the noise, but I’ve learned to focus more now. I wouldn’t feel the same pressure if I were in that situation again.”

On winning the U19 World Cup, Shafali added, “Winning the U19 World Cup was a huge moment—not just for me, but for my family, my country, and for every woman out there. It was a memorable day, and I was crying tears of joy. That moment still motivates me whenever I see the pictures because I achieved something no other woman in India had. The whole team was very close, and I hope we can do well in 2024 too.”