Newly appointed India's vice-captain Shafali Verma has said the side will look to play fearless T20 cricket when the team faces Zimbabwe in three T20Is, beginning on Friday, October 16.
The series is India's first under new captain Smriti Mandhana, who has taken over from Harmanpreet Kaur. Shafali has been named vice-captain in T20Is, taking on the role that Mandhana previously held.
“We have spoken about it, that in this series we have to play a fearless brand of cricket with smartness till the Champions Trophy. We have done lots of meetings so everyone knows what to do," Shafali told reporters ahead of the fisrt match against Zimbabwe
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"We are just trying to keep growing series by series,” Shafali told reporters ahead of the first match against Zimbabwe, she added.
Shafali On Her New Role
Shafali spoke about what the vice-captaincy means to her, saying her previous leadership experience had prepared her for it.
“I have done captaincy in the 2019 World Cup as well, so, I know that experience. I know vice-captaincy is not just a title. It's a big responsibility," Verma added.
"We have to just take care of each and every player and get them in a very good headspace. I am just trying to make every player very comfortable and just help the captain,”
A Tribute To Harmanpreet
The 22-year-old batter also acknowledged Harmanpreet's impact on Indian cricket. "Harman provided a lot of growth to women's cricket and the way it has shaped, it is all because of her," she said.
Middle-Order Questions
India's middle order has come under the scanner through the recently concluded Asian Games and Asia Cup, with Jemimah Rodrigues' absence through injury creating a void.
Shafali, however, noted that India had not suffered in her absence, and said new players would be tried in her place.
“Jemi is recovering, but in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, we did not feel much. The way Richa (Ghosh) and Harman played, and now Niki (Prasad) has come, hopefully she will do well and we will keep trying players,” Shafali concluded.
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Newly Appointed Captain Smriti Mandhana said on Wednesday that "there were a few things we needed to work on in the T20 format, especially,"
"There are a lot of things we need to work on. We need a lot of things to fall into place. But I think today is the day to talk about good and positive things," Mandhana added.
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