Captain Shafali Verma will have the experience of playing two title matches with the senior women’s team as India plays the U-19 Women’s World Cup T20 final against England at JB Marks Oval on Sunday. Making a splash at T20 level at the age of 16, Shafali experienced the pressure of the 2020 World Cup final as India were knocked out 99 in front of 86,174 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground chasing 185 against Australia.
She dropped Alyssa Healy’s catch in coverage on the fifth ball of the match and then went 75 off 39 balls. Against the same opponent in the 2022 Commonwealth Games final in Edgbaston, Shefali dropped Megan’s catch.
Now, on the eve of the U-19 Women’s World Cup T20 2023 final against England, Shafali was asked at the pre-final press conference what advice she gave the team on their approach to the final. Through her past experiences in 2020 and 2022 in a tournament, her response was to enjoy the match and believe in herself. He said: “Yes, I have played the finals in 2020 and 2022. Looking at my experience, I have shared with my teammates that they enjoy the game and believe in oneself.
He said: ‘I also told him not to think that this is the final.’ Just give your 100 percent all the time and if you play the final enjoying the game then it will be good. The match will also take place in the same way. I have told him to enjoy the game and to believe in himself.
Asked if there was any interaction with their senior female counterparts playing in the tri-series in east London, Shafali said there was no interaction. I haven’t talked to all of them yet. Before I came here, I spoke with Harman and he shared his leadership experience with me. Besides, I haven’t talked to anyone yet. They were top of Group D with three wins before Australia knocked them out for 87 in 18.5 overs. A game that was “very tense” for the Indian team.