Shefali Verma Bounces Back with Explosive Performance Against Zimbabwe
Shefali Verma scored 55 runs in a stunning comeback against Zimbabwe, leading India to victory in the second T20 match.
Raipur, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : India’s newly appointed vice-captain, Shefali Verma, delivered an impressive performance on Sunday at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, scoring 55 runs off just 25 balls in the second T20 match against Zimbabwe. Her explosive innings included four sixes and six fours, earning her the title of ‘Player of the Match.’
In the previous game against Zimbabwe, Shefali had been dismissed for a mere four runs by off-spinner Nyasha Gwarazira. However, she made a remarkable comeback this time, helping India chase down a target of 103 runs in just 8.5 overs, securing an unbeatable lead in the series.
Reflecting on her earlier dismissal, Shefali admitted that she had struggled to sleep after being caught off Gwarazira’s bowling. “After how I got out in the last match, I couldn’t sleep at all. But I tried to stay calm and thought about what I needed to do the next day to implement my plans on the field,” she said during the post-match presentation.
Shefali wasted no time in making her mark during the chase, hitting a boundary and a six off Gwarazira in the very first over. She reached her half-century in just 24 balls. Discussing her improved strategy against spin bowling, she mentioned her focus on spending more time at the crease.
“Getting out the way I did in the last match wasn’t right for me as a right-handed batsman against a spinner. Now, I’m trying to play with a slight bend and time the ball better. I aim to keep things simple. If I can’t hit a four or six, I look for singles and focus on executing my plans,” she explained.
Last year, Shefali was dropped from the Indian ODI team. She took time to work on her consistency, drawing inspiration from Australian players. “Absolutely. In 2025, while I was at home, I reflected on what I could improve. Consistency in scoring runs for the team was my priority. I analyzed how Australian batsmen play, and keeping that in mind, I strive to score as many runs as possible and help the team win,” she added.
