Raipur, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India vice-captain Shafali Verma has revealed that her poor body language during her dismissal in the opening match against Zimbabwe left her unable to sleep, prompting her to analyse videos of her previous performances before bouncing back with a match-winning half-century in the second T20I.
Shafali smashed 55 off just 24 balls and shared a 96-run opening partnership with captain Smriti Mandhana as India cruised to victory at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night, clinching the three-match series with one game remaining.
“To be honest, the way I got out in the last match, I couldn’t even sleep because of my body language. It’s not just because I got caught out. My body language was bad. I went and watched the video. So, I think I went and analysed how I can bat better,” Shafali said in a video posted on bcci.tv on Monday.
She explained that she had reviewed two or three videos of her batting to identify areas for improvement, particularly her technique on a low-bouncing pitch.
“I didn’t play by bending much. So, I watched 2-3 videos of mine. So, I tried to look at the ball and react and play by bending a little because the wicket is low. So, I was trying to go ball by ball and play till the end,” she said.
Although Shafali was dismissed with India needing just seven more runs to secure the series, Mandhana remained at the crease to guide the team home. Shafali dedicated the series victory to the young players in the squad, praising their contributions.
“I think it’s a very good feeling. First of all, I’m feeling very happy for the youngsters because we have a lot of young players and this series is a win for them. This series is only for them and we will dedicate this series win to them. We know that there is one more match left. We will try to execute all our plans and support our youngsters,” she added.
Shafali was particularly pleased with the performances of Niki Prasad, her teammate at Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Niki has impressed with her contributions in bowling, batting and fielding.
“The way Niki bowled, I was really happy for her and the way she is doing, not just bowling, not just batting, not just fielding, the way she is creating the impact,” Shafali said.
She also praised Niki’s fielding, recalling their time together at Delhi Capitals.
“So, I’m really happy. She has played with me in Delhi Capitals. The way she caught the catch, she does it the same for the Delhi Capitals. So, it’s not a big deal for me. Of course, she is playing in the Indian team. But I have seen this before – so, I’m used to it,” she added.
Shafali said her attacking style was driven by mental strength and thorough preparation, which help her approach matches with clarity and confidence.
“It’s more than fearless when I’m mentally strong. So, I try to go for a good preparation before the game so that I don’t feel that I could have done this or that. So, I stay clear and I think I do my best mentally. So, I’m just trying to keep it simple and execute the things which are in my mind,” she said.
Reflecting on her mental growth, Shafali spoke about learning to move on quickly from previous performances. She was dropped from the Indian team in 2025 before returning for the series against England and later winning the Player of the Match award in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final.
She admitted that earlier in her career, she would sometimes dwell on successful performances instead of shifting her focus to the next challenge.
“For example, maybe in 2020, 2022, 2023 – the matches in which I used to score, I used to stay in that match only. Like I would go, ‘Oh, I scored’ and I couldn’t think about the next match. So, I think I learnt this in 2025 that how quickly I have to move forward mentally. I have to learn well from the previous game.
“I have to take what I did well and I have to start from zero in the next match. So, I have improved this thing on my own and I have become mentally stable now. I keep looking at the score again and again. What does the team need? What do I have to do now? So, I’m just trying to do simple things right,” she said.
Shafali also expressed her enjoyment of the vice-captain’s role, saying she and Mandhana were working to ensure the younger players remained confident and comfortable within the team.
“I think vice-captaincy, I’m enjoying it a lot. I’m trying to provide everything to the youngsters. Me and Smriti di try to keep them in a good mental space.
“I try to talk to every player so that they stay mentally free and in a good space. Me and Smriti di are trying to keep a good environment and as a vice-captain, I’m trying to help Smriti as much as I can – on the field, off the field. So, I’m just trying to do that,” she added.
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