Bengaluru: Shafali Verma, captain of U19 Women's T20 World Cup team ,spoke to Star Sports in an exclusive interaction on who her role models are, her thoughts on playing the inaugural U-19 World Cup and what the strengths of Team India are.
"I think nowadays, I like Livingstone's batting because he is hitting very well, and of course growing up, playing cricket, I used to watch Sachin Tendulkar sir. So of course, Sachin sir is also my role model and I love to see him, how he is playing the game and he’s very calm. And I was also thinking of learning something like that from him," she said.
Shafali also gave her thoughts on her playing her first U-19 World Cup.
She said, "Of course it’s very good, it’s my first and last, because it’s my last year of the U-19, but of course very exciting. We have a good team, we are really enjoying the girls and I hope we will play good cricket and of course we will be here for the world cup and we will try to achieve that."
Shafali added that there is a difference in playing for the U19 and the open category and how important the U19 World Cup will be for growing and developing talented players.
She said, "There is lots of difference because the ball is coming in a little slow in the U19 and the wicket is also in the slow end and we are trying to get used to that. And of course, a little bit of difference, seamers have good pace, a good mind-set here also but they are all learning and I really enjoy playing with them."
"I think it’s very important for women’s cricket to you know, as Mithali said, that for growing up and developing talented players, for them it’s very good."
Shafali further spoke on what the mindset and strengths for Team India will be at the U19 World Cup, she said, "I would say we are averaging well in batting, bowling and fielding, it’s just the mind-set of how they are taking them, but as a captain, I hope we win the world cup." (UNI)