Fifteen-year-old batswoman Shafali Verma grabbed the lime after she was inducted into the Indian Women’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa. It was a dream come true moment for the teenager who always wanted to play for the national side ever since she decided to take the bat in her hand at the age of 10.
Her road to success wasn’t easy as he was surrounded by people who had said a lot when she started playing cricket during her younger days. Since she is a girl and cricket in India is still seen predominantly as a sport played by boys, she had to listen a lot.
“There were people who had to say to my father when I began playing cricket. However, he didn't listen to them and allowed me to play,” Shafali said.
“It was my father who trained me in the beginning. It was my dream as well as my father's that I should play for India at the international stage,” she added with a sense of pride.
Shafali has so far played three seasons for Haryana and has caught the attention of many owing to her batting prowess at the opening slot.
The opener says that in order to play for India, she knew she had to perform in Women's T20 Challenge and her knock of 34 off 31 balls for Velocity in Jaipur earlier this year was just what the doctor ordered. Following her knock, she had even earned high praise from her teammate, England's Danni Wyatt.
“In order to play for India, I needed to perform and score big in IPL. It was needed from me to help my team win. IPL is a great platform and I was determined enough to perform there and make my way into the Indian dressing room,” said Shafali.