The Indian women’s team is currently involved in a one-off Test match against England. It’s their first Test in more than seven years, and as expected, many of the players were making their debut. One of them is Shafali Verma, a teen sensation from Rohtak, Haryana.
Shafali had already established herself at the top of the order in the shortest format. However, Test cricket is a whole different ball game. Nevertheless, she took to the longest format like a duck to water and scored 96 in her debut innings. She also became the 4th woman overall to score a half-century in both the innings when she made 55* in the second innings at the end of play on Day 3.
The whirlwind knock played by Shafali started comparisons with former Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Both of them have a similar playstyle, where they play an aggressive brand of cricket no matter the situation. Sehwag, who is active on Twitter, praised the fearlessness that was displayed by the debutant.
Day one of #WTCFinal2021 called off but enjoying watching Shafali Varma in the #INDWvsENGW Test. Delight to watch the fearlessness. pic.twitter.com/cvg0agstUO
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 18, 2021
England Women enforce the follow-on
Although it was a good day out in the park for Shafali Verma, Team India faltered after a bright start. After England declared their first innings at 396/9, India Women were off to a flyer, with a first wicket partnership of 167 between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana. However, following Shafali’s wicket, India collapsed as they lost their last 9 wickets for 52 runs.
With a lead of 165, England enforced the follow-on. This time around, Smriti perished cheaply but Shafali went about her merry ways, racing away to 55* before persistent rain washed the rest of the day’s play out. At the end of Day 3, India were 83/1, needing 82 runs more to avoid an innings defeat on the final day.