Head coach of the Indian Women’s team, WV Raman feels that too much attention to a teenager like Shafali Verma who is barely 16 years old could act as a distraction for her in a much important ICC event. He believes that the current squad is fully deserving of lifting the WT20 Title with the balance in the side.
Shafali made her debut when she was 15, from the day of her debut to today she has achieved so much anyone can ever think of, she has always been in the highlight because of her extraordinary performances. She never takes a step back to showcase her attacking attitude and thrashes ball out of the park. She put her step forward in the international field with back-to-back fifties against the Windies Women in late 2019, but her match-winning knock of 49 against the World Champions Aussies in Melbourne last week was an eye-catching inning which is making everyone notice her as the X- Factor for the side and there’s no doubt about that.
W.V Raman has expressed how talented the youngster is and her aggressive batting style adds to the ingredient of the side. He believes she will grow better and better with such exposure and her experiences. However, he requests media to be gentle with the attention towards her and let her just play the game.
“I would request the media not to go gaga over her, because she is barely 16, and too much attention is not good for her at this stage. I have given her the freedom to play the way she has been playing. She has shown she has the talent. She is fearless. She is unique,” Raman was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
“She is extremely positive. She has the ability to score runs quickly. She can hit the ball hard and she looks to get runs. She is at a stage and an age where it doesn’t make sense to put anything into her. She needs to be allowed to figure it out for herself. That will come with experience” he adds.
Indian women’s cricket team was in the finale of the 2017 50-over world cup, where they collapsed in the pressure situation. Women in blue lost finals with the difference of very few runs, nerve balance in the pressure situation are very important and the team has learned that over the years. This time the team looks mature and ready to get into the contest and come out as favorites for the tournament.
“Definitely one of the favorites. They made people sit up and take notice in the 2017 World Cup (runners-up) and the 2018 T20 World Cup (semifinalists). Since then there has been a lot of improvement, in terms of fitness, agility on the field and their approach to batting. they have been shaping well over the last six months. It is more or less a better and settled team than perhaps what it was when I took over. These girls have a very good chance in this World Cup.”
Raman also believes that winning this T20 World cup will recreate the 1983 World cup charm which will help escalate the brand of cricket women play and the squad will be recognized as superstars.
“Too much attention not good for Shafali Verma,” says WV Raman Share on X
Source: Nagraj Gollapudi for ESPN Cricinfo
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