Shafali Varma: I am trying to focus more on strike rotation

Women’s cricket: 18 year old Shafali Varma has not been able to consistently perform at the best in the 50 over format.

In India’s 10 wicket win over Sri Lanka, Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana stitched a 174 run partnership. Shafali scored 71 not-out whereas Smriti scored an unbeaten 94 runs.

“Having seen my past matches, I thought I lacked in taking singles, so I’ve worked on it. I’m trying to be better as I feel taking singles is very important to build your innings in ODIs,” Shafali said on the eve of the third and final ODI of the series.

“If it’s a good ball, it’s about taking singles and rotating the strike. If you keep rotating strike, scoring boundaries become easy. I’m also working a lot on my fitness.” 

Shafali went on to her first half-century since the one against South Africa in the World Cup in March. This time, Shafali focused more on rotating her strike. 49 runs off her 71 came in singles.

“She’s (Smriti) supporting me well on and off the field, telling me my mistakes and where I can improve. We enjoy talking to each other, we hope to keep it going, and form more such partnerships,” said Shafali.

After Mithali Raj’s retirement, Harmanpreet Kaur has taken over the leadership resposnibility.

“Harry Di (Harmanpreet) supports youngsters a lot. We have a lot of youngsters in the team. She has developed a culture where we keep our communications going, keep talking to each other. Yes, there’s a good team culture now.”

Shafali Varma also got an opportunity to show her bowling skills.

“I always bowled in the nets and recently got a chance to bowl in domestic cricket and got confidence from there. Harry Di also supported me, it was her idea and she told me to keep practising at the nets. I’m trying to work more on it,” she signed off.

India take on Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.