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'We Don't Just Go...': Shafali Verma Opens Up On India vs Australia Rivalry Ahead Of World Cup Clash

Indian cricket star, Shafali Verma [Source: @shafalisverma17/instagram.com]Indian cricket star, Shafali Verma [Source: @shafalisverma17/instagram.com]

It's time for the mother of all clashes, it's time for India Women and Australia Women to meet one another in the 18th match of the on-going T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Sunday, October 13.

While preparing for the high-octane clash, Indian stunner, Shafali Verma opened up and shed light on the points the team would be focusing on, the team strategy and the importance for strong starts. Moreover, she also shared the significance of taking quick singles on the expansive UAE grounds, particularly with Smriti Mandhana currently in excellent form.

Shafali Breaks Down India's Strategies

She emphasized the team's flexible approach, focusing on rotating the strike and leveraging Mandhana's strong form against spinners.

“Yes, we have a good team right now and that's because we don't just go in predetermined. Whoever looks in good touch on that particular day, we just try to rotate the strike and let them play as many deliveries as possible. 

And yeah, she's (Smriti Mandhana) hitting the spinners quite well, so that's a positive sign. And we just try to give a good start for the team which in-turn produces a good innings and ultimately we are able to put a good score on the board. So our aim is just to do well for our team and back our strength,” she said while speaking on Star Sports.

Furthermore, she talked about the playing conditions in UAE and said:

“I think we're used to the conditions here, maybe because of that, we are able to run well between the wickets. But we just try to take the first run fast because the ground here is massive, it’s about 70 meters, if I'm not wrong. So we try to take the first run fast. It's very difficult to hit a six. But are looking forward to taking quick singles."

Aussie Players On Smriti Mandhana

On the other hand, Australia players Australian players Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney also shared the intense rivalry between the two countries. Wheareas, Alyssa Healy highlighted how Indian batting star Smriti Mandhana, is a big threat.

“It's always a big match. I think it's the last round game in our pool, which is probably going to be high pressure stakes yet again. They’ve got a lot of match winners. I can't go past probably Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order. We know how hard they are to beat and hard to play against, especially in the biggest stage,” said Alyssa Healy

Australia and India battle it out in T20 WC 2024 Points Table

According to the latest standings of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 points table, Australia women are on top with two successive wins and have a +2.524 Net Run Rate along with 4 points to their credit. On the other hand, India Women have played three matches with two wins and one loss. They have also got 4 points and a Net Run Rate of +0.576.