Raipur: India vice-captain Shafali Verma revealed that her poor body language during a soft dismissal in the series opener against left her sleepless and prompted her to rewatch her old batting videos, driving her to hit a match-winning half-century in the second T20I.
Shafali smashed a rapid 55 off 24 balls and forged a 96-run opening partnership with captain Smriti Mandhana as India comfortably chased down the target at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night, securing an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
“To be honest, the way I got out in the last match, I couldn’t even sleep because of my body language. It’s not just because I got caught out. My body language was bad. I went and watched the video. So, I think I went and analysed how I can bat better. I didn’t play by bending much. So, I watched 2-3 videos of mine. So, I tried to look at the ball and react and play by bending a little because the wicket is low. So, I was trying to go ball by ball and play till the end,” Shafali said in an interview posted on bcci.tv on Monday.
Although Shafali fell with India requiring just seven runs for victory, Mandhana guided the team home. Dedicated to the fresh talent in the squad, Shafali highlighted the significance of the victory for the team’s younger generation.
“I think it’s a very good feeling. First of all, I’m feeling very happy for the youngsters because we have a lot of young players and this series is a win for them. This series is only for them and we will dedicate this series win to them. We know that there is one more match left. We will try to execute all our plans and support our youngsters,” she added.
Shafali reserved special praise for all-rounder Niki Prasad, her Delhi Capitals teammate in the WPL, who made significant contributions with both bat and ball as well as on the field. “The way Niki bowled, I was really happy for her and the way she is doing, not just bowling, not just batting, not just fielding, the way she is creating the impact. So, I’m really happy. She has played with me in Delhi Capitals. The way she caught the catch, she does it the same for the Delhi Capitals. So, it’s not a big deal for me. Of course, she is playing in the Indian team. But I have seen this before – so, I’m used to it.”
Reflecting on her aggressive batting approach, Shafali stressed that mental clarity and rigorous preparation remain central to her game plan. “It’s more than fearless when I’m mentally strong. So, I try to go for a good preparation before the game so that I don’t feel that I could have done this or that. So, I stay clear and I think I do my best mentally. So, I’m just trying to keep it simple and execute the things which are in my mind.”
Looking back at her career progression-particularly after earning her spot back in the side following a brief omission in 2025-she explained how she shifted her focus away from dwelling on individual performances.
“For example, maybe in 2020, 2022, 2023 – the matches in which I used to score, I used to stay in that match only. Like I would go, ‘Oh, I scored’ and I couldn’t think about the next match. So, I think I learnt this in 2025 that how quickly I have to move forward mentally. I have to learn well from the previous game. I have to take what I did well and I have to start from zero in the next match. So, I have improved this thing on my own and I have become mentally stable now. I keep looking at the score again and again. What does the team need? What do I have to do now? So, I’m just trying to do simple things right.”
Shafali concluded by sharing her excitement regarding her leadership responsibilities within the squad as vice-captain. “I think vice-captaincy, I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m trying to provide everything to the youngsters. Me and Smriti di try to keep them in a good mental space. I try to talk to every player so that they stay mentally free and in a good space. Me and Smriti di are trying to keep a good environment and as a vice-captain, I’m trying to help Smriti as much as I can – on the field, off the field. So, I’m just trying to do that.” (IANS)