Shafali Verma trains with Under-25 men’s team in a bid to improve her short ball game

Shafali Verma has completed two years at the international cricket since making her debut in 2019. In just a short time, the teenager has earned the tag of a dasher. Verma has taken the best attacks to the cleaners by her fearless and aggressive style of play. The right-hand batter has also formed a formidable partnership with opener Smriti Mandhana at the top and helped India win many matches.

Advertisment

Verma dons the role of aggressor most often and sets the tone for India upfront. Her pyrotechnics in the shortest format was hard to ignore. She soon made her Test and ODI debut against England. Verma managed to do well on the tour of England and Australia but the opposition bowlers found a slight weakness in her batting. The 17-year-old faced difficultly facing short-pitched balls.

However, Verma is keen to improve on that aspect of the game and is currently undergoing training with the Under-25 men's team at the Shri Narain Cricket Academy. She is facing 200-250 balls and is aiming to get better at playing short-pitched bowling.

"It feels good that I have been able to complete two years in international cricket but there is a long way to go. I know the areas of my game I need to get better at and one of them is playing the short ball," Shafali told according to ESPN Cricinfo after being named a Hyundai brand ambassador. "The coaches have also told me to play as per the ball and I will continue to do that. I will never change my game."

Verma scored half-century on Test debut against England but backed away to the balls that were bowled short. The coaches are making her play short-pitched bowling on cemented, astroturf, and normal wickets. She is also facing throwdowns.

"I won't back away that much going forward. You will see me shuffling around the crease a lot more and play as per the merit of the ball," Shafali, who is also working on her fitness, said.