Women’s World Cup | ‘Feel bad for Pratika… but I’m also trusting myself,’ says Shafali ahead of semifinal

Nearly precisely a yr after her final ODI outing in India blues, Shafali Verma finds herself again within the nationwide set-up — this time with a shot at redemption on the grandest stage. The 21-year-old was drafted into the squad as Pratika Rawal’s damage substitute forward of India’s Ladies’s ODI World Cup semifinal against defending champion Australia on the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday.

Having joined the group after being knowledgeable of her choice whereas with the Haryana squad for the Senior Ladies’s T20 match in Surat, Shafali admitted that the circumstances had been bittersweet.

“What occurred with Pratika was unlucky. No participant desires to see a teammate injured,” she mentioned, including that she sees this as an opportunity “despatched by God to do one thing good.”

Again within the combine after a powerful home run, Shafali mentioned she feels assured and prepared if given a chance. Having featured in a number of high-pressure video games earlier than, she believes expertise will assist her deal with the semifinal stage calmly.

“It’s all about conserving my thoughts clear and trusting myself. I’ve been in such conditions earlier, so I’ll simply keep calm and again my recreation.”

Adapting from T20s to the 50-over format, Shafali mentioned she has labored onerous within the nets over the past two days to fine-tune her rhythm. She credited the group administration and senior gamers for making her really feel welcome and backing her pure attacking recreation. “There’s no stress. I’ve been informed to play freely — respect the great balls and assault those in my vary,” she mentioned.