Shafali Verma loves hitting the ball out of the park however the pleasure of slamming an Australian for a boundary is unmatched, says the explosive India opener, who’s reminded of the lads’s staff whereas competing in opposition to the celebrities from Down Under. Having made her India debut as a 15-year-old prodigy, Shafali has come a great distance and alongside the elegant Smriti Mandhana, types some of the explosive opening pairings in ladies’s cricket. After failing a few instances earlier than, the big-hitting Shafali, who has 5 WT20I fifties, lastly scored her maiden half-century in opposition to Australia earlier this week, when she hit a 41-ball 52. Her knock encrusted with six boundaries and three sixes.

“I love playing against Australia. Aisa lagta hai ki ladkon ke sath hi khel rahe hain (it feels like you are playing against men),” Shafali mentioned on the eve of the fourth T20I in opposition to Australia.

“When I hit a four (against an Australian), I get boosted, and feel that I’ve improved as a player, because Australia is the best side (in women’s cricket). I’m always happy when I hit boundaries off the Australian bowlers.

“I do not get a lot happiness after I hit boundaries in opposition to England or every other staff,” she added.

Currently trailing 1-2, India must eke out a win within the fourth T20 to remain alive within the five-match collection and Shafali is aware of they can not afford any slip-ups because the Australians are desirous to capitalise on the smallest of errors.

“When I play in opposition to Australia, it appears like I’m taking part in in opposition to males, as a result of their sport is like that. If they see a small mistake that you’re making, they may make the most of it. So we now have to be on prime of our sport in opposition to them,” Shafali mentioned.

“You can’t make mistakes against them. You have to play your best shots, which you are confident about. I learnt a lot while playing against Australia.” India succumbed to a 21-run loss in the previous game.

Shafali and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur had kept India in the contest but as the required run rate increased the 18-year-old, looking to hit some big shots, ended up losing her wicket.

“We were playing well, but the situation was such that we had to take risks. We were 30 runs behind, and that situation demanded that you had to go for shots if there was a loose ball.

“That shot usually goes for six, but on that day, unfortunately I lost my wicket,” she mentioned.

The first two fixtures had been performed on the DY Patil Stadium whereas the third sport was held on the Brabourne Stadium, which may also host the remaining two matches.

India had pulled off an exhilarating Super Over win on the DY Patil Stadium.

But the house batters have additionally struggled to rotate strike, consuming too many dot balls within the collection.

“This wicket is not similar to the one at the DY Patil Stadium. Bowlers are generating good swing on this wicket, but we really can’t give excuses.

“We are engaged on the singles below the steering of the batting coach. Day by day, we’re bettering,” she mentioned.

The Indian bowlers have additionally been struggling however Shafali mentioned the bunch is placing within the laborious yards, “bowling on single stump”.

The opener added that batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar has requested her to deal with her “shot choice.”

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