Shafali Verma continues to build her reputation as the next big thing in Indian cricket with scintillating innings on the Test debut. The 17-year-old smashed 96 runs in the ongoing Ine-off Test against England in Bristol, providing India with a solid start.
Shafali Verma belted 13 fours and two sixes during her 152-ball stay and her attempt to reach three figures with a big hit proved her downfall. She skied one from Kate Cross to hand an easy catch to Anya Shrubsole but not before having added 167 runs with her opening partner Smriti Mandhana.
Shefali Verma’s Dismissal Resulted In A Mini-Collapse After Her 96 Runs Essay
However, her dismissal resulted in a mini-collapse with the tourists reduced to 187/5 at the close of play. Earlier, England had declared their first innings at 396/9 with captain Heather Knight making 95 while Sophia Dunkley (74*) and Tammy Beaumont (66) also making significant contributions.
While the chance at hitting three figures in debut innings must have left the youngster slightly disappointed but she has promised more is to come.
I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your kind words of support and for your wishes?. It would not be possible to respond to each message individually. I am proud to be a part of this team and such wonderfully supportive teammates and support staff ?
— Shafali Verma (@TheShafaliVerma) June 17, 2021
“I would like to thank each and every one of you for your kind words of support and for your wishes. It would not be possible to respond to each message individually. I am proud to be a part of this team and such wonderfully supportive teammates and support staff,” Shafali posted on her Twitter handle soon after the end of the second day’s play.
I also want to especially thank the @BCCI , @haryanacricket , SG @sg_cricket , @Nike, @GoogleIndia and @baselineventure for their support ?.
— Shafali Verma (@TheShafaliVerma) June 17, 2021
In another tweet, she added, “I know my father, my family, my Association, my team and academy will miss those 4+ runs more than me but I will make it up to them on other occasions. They have all been a huge support!”
India will hope to recover from the mini-collapse when they resume batting on Day 3, still trailing England by 209 runs. India openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma scripted a stunning opening stand but five quick wickets in the final hour of play brought England back in the game on Thursday.
England Stages Comeback With 5 Quick Wickets
The visitors went to stumps at 187/5 with Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma unbeaten on four and zero respectively. India was right on track to register a mammoth total but England struck late to snatch the driver’s seat as the visitors lost four wickets in the last half an hour. Punam Raut, skipper Mithali Raj, and Shikha Pandey all went cheaply as India wobbled at the end before the close of day’s play.
Earlier, England resumed their innings from 269/6 but suffered an early jolt as Jhulan Goswami dismisses Katherine Brunt in the 94th over. Meanwhile, Sophia Dunkley hit a fifty on Test debut as England scored their highest total against India Women.
In the third session, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma continued their fine form and first brought up the 100-run stand and then registered India Women’s highest opening stand in Tests. The duo passed the 153-run partnership between Gargi Banerji and Sandhya Agarwal against Australia in Mumbai in 1984.