Shafali Verma’s stunning 197 runs led Haryana to a strong total, yet Bengal’s record chase of 393 secured a remarkable victory in the quarter-finals.
In a remarkable performance in the quarter-final match of the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy held in Rajkot, Shafali Verma achieved a stunning score of 197 runs off 115 balls for Haryana against Bengal. Verma’s innings featured an impressive display of power hitting, as she struck 22 boundaries and 11 sixes, propelling Haryana to a formidable total of 389 runs for the loss of five wickets. Despite this aggressive scoring, Bengal managed to orchestrate a successful chase, concluding the match with a total of 393 runs for the loss of five wickets, and with five balls remaining. This chase represents a significant achievement in women’s cricket, as it now stands as the highest successful run chase recorded in List A matches, surpassing the previous benchmark of 309 runs set by Northern Districts against Canterbury in 2019.
The success of Bengal’s batting lineup was marked by collective contributions from nearly every player. The opening partnership between Dhara Gujjar and Sasthi Mondal laid a solid foundation, with Gujjar scoring 69 runs off 49 deliveries and Mondal adding 52 runs off 29. Their combined effort resulted in a brisk start of 100 runs within just 9.1 overs. This early momentum was further built upon by Tanusree Sarkar, who led the innings with a robust 113 runs scored off 83 balls. Following her dismissal, Priyanka Bala played a crucial role in guiding the team to victory, finishing with an unbeaten 88 runs off 81 balls. In addition to her batting exploits, Sarkar also contributed with the ball, claiming three wickets for 56 runs.
For Shafali Verma, this match marked her second century of the current tournament, having previously opened her campaign with a score of 139 runs from 98 balls against Uttar Pradesh. Over the course of seven innings, she has amassed 527 runs at an impressive average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31. This rich vein of form arrives at a pivotal time in her career, as she strives for a successful return to the Indian national team.
Despite her outstanding performance in the ongoing one-day tournament, Shafali Verma has recently encountered challenges in her international career. She was notably omitted from India’s white-ball squads for the tour of Australia after a disappointing run of form, managing only 108 runs in six One Day Internationals (ODIs) at an average of 18 earlier in the year. Compounding her struggle, she was not included in the squad for the ODIs against the West Indies, leading to concerns regarding India’s search for a reliable opening partner for Smriti Mandhana. This gap was evident during the series in Australia, where different opening combinations were trialed, including Priya Punia and Richa Ghosh. The inclusion of Ghosh as an opener in the second ODI was notably questioned, as she later confirmed she was in line to open prior to the match.
In the most recent encounter against the West Indies, India experimented with yet another new opening pair, featuring Pratika Rawal alongside Mandhana. Rawal’s composed innings of 40 runs contributed to a robust 110-run stand, aiding India in achieving a convincing victory. Shafali’s last appearance for the national side came during the home ODIs against New Zealand in October, where she managed a total of 56 runs across three innings. Her performance during the T20 World Cup in the UAE was less favorable, evidenced by her tally of just 97 runs in four matches, which ultimately led to India’s exit from the tournament at the group stage.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s comments regarding the absence of senior players prior to the series against the West Indies underscored the uncertainty surrounding player selections. She emphasized the necessity of speaking with the selection committee for clarity about players’ omissions. Nevertheless, Kaur previously acknowledged Shafali’s importance to the team, stating her significant contributions to the squad. Kaur expressed hope for Shafali’s return to form, indicating that her skills are vital for the team’s future success.
As Shafali Verma continues to strive for a position in the national team, her performance in domestic tournaments like the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy is critical. This recent innings not only showcases her batting prowess but also serves to underline her capacity for big scores that could influence her potential recall to international cricket. With the immediate focus on her batting capabilities, loyal fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if she can convert her domestic success into a reinstatement in the national squad, paving the way for her exciting future in women’s cricket.
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