Shafali deserves her India comeback, says Smriti Mandhana ahead of India’s white-ball series against England.
Smriti Mandhana believes Shafali Verma deserves her India comeback.
Mandhana Smriti vs. Bell Lauren. On the eve of India’s tour opener, the first of five Twenty20 Internationals at Trent Bridge on Saturday, Bell, the leader of England’s seam-bowling assault, couldn’t wait to get started.
Shafali Verma, who is making a comeback, at least in this format, after losing favour following India’s group-stage loss at the T20 World Cup last October and lean ODI returns at home against New Zealand later that month, is the player Mandhana is looking forward to having again as her opening partner.
“She’s had an amazing year,” Smriti said of Shafali. “Once the setback had come, she went to domestic cricket, scored bucket-loads of runs and had an amazing WPL.
“No one had any doubts about her talent, the way she had come into the Indian team and dominated. She is a world-class player and always will be, but for her to go back and do what she did in the last year was amazing to watch. She deserves this comeback and I’m really excited to open with her again.”
As captain of Haryana, Shafali was the top scorer in both the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy (527 runs, 152.31 strike rate, 75.29 average) and the Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger Trophy (414 runs, 145.26 strike rate, 82.80 average).
With 2636 runs and a partnership run rate of 7.90, Mandhana and Shafali are second in terms of the most partnership runs scored by an opening pair in women’s Twenty20 international cricket.
Despite being on different teams, Bell was eager to reunite with her Southern Brave teammate, Mandhana, in the Hundred.
“I’m looking forward to bowling at Smriti,” Bell said. “I’ve obviously played with her, we’ve had a few net battles at the Brave before, so that’ll be a good challenge, playing against her. It’s exciting to be up against some of the best players and that normally brings the best out when you’re playing against the best.
“The last time I played India, it’s always been Smriti and Shafali opening the batting, so it’s a challenge we’ve had before and one that is really exciting. They’re both very talented and play differently, so I’m hoping it just brings the best out of us. As an England player, you really look forward to these series and thrive off the challenge and how good the opposition are.”