Team India threw up a massive surprise after they left out the hard-hitting Shafali Verma for Thursday’s 2022 Women’s World Cup match against New Zealand at the Seddon Park. Instead, the Women in Blue went in with Yastika Bhatia, who got scores of 58 and 42 against South Africa and West Indies in the warmups. […]
Team India threw up a massive surprise after they left out the hard-hitting Shafali Verma for Thursday’s 2022 Women’s World Cup match against New Zealand at the Seddon Park. Instead, the Women in Blue went in with Yastika Bhatia, who got scores of 58 and 42 against South Africa and West Indies in the warmups. But the move didn’t work for India as Bhatia only managed a 59-ball 28 with two fours.
Her struggle in the middle came to an end after fast bowler Lea Tahuhu dismissed her through a leading edge. The 18-year-old Verma, meanwhile, has been going through a bit of lean patch at the highest level. The woman prodigy scored only 96 runs in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand with a top score of 51. Thereafter, she failed to open her account in the warm-up game against the Caribbean team.
In India’s opening match against Bismah Maroof’s Pakistan on March 6 in Mount Maunganui, Verma bagged a six-ball duck. Fast bowler Diana Baig castled her and didn’t let her get off the mark. After a few low scores, the Indian team management decided to drop the Rohtak-born Verma and bring in Bhatia.
The fans weren’t happy with the decision of dropping Verma from the playing eleven. They felt that dropping a hard-hitter for an important match wasn’t called for. The netizens also wanted her to feature in India’s next match on Saturday, March 12 in Hamilton itself.
if u think shafali verma is a long term deal then you’d better stick to her and give her the long run. ash gardner for instance, when she got picked at such a young age she was extremely inconsistent and frustrating, but aus stuck to her and look at where she’s now.
— belle #350 (@Wacagirl) March 10, 2022
Wonder if the approach by India women chasing 261 was a right one or not? Surely missed Shafali Verma at the top despite her poor show so far. #CWC2022 #NZWvINDW
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) March 10, 2022
Indian batting has struggled in the tournament so far. Would love to see Mithali Raj at 3 & Harmanpreet Kaur at 4. The impact of Shafali Verma is needed at the top.
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 10, 2022
Shafali Verma deserves more faith and patience. #CWC22
— Rupin Kale (@Vegansportlover) March 10, 2022
Woke up to see Shafali Verma being dropped. Wow! It seems she was the biggest problem in this batting line up.
— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) March 10, 2022
You must have players like @JemiRodrigues #punamraut and ofcourse @TheShafaliVerma to counter opposition.
Today’s play was pure old fashioned from our women’s team.#bcci#INDVSNZ#ICCWomensWorldCup2022#shafaliVerma— Capt. Afan Kapde (@BeingAfan_ik) March 10, 2022
I’m really disappointed in the way the Women’s team played today. The opening partnership was disappointing to watch. Really hoping that Shafali Verma gets to play the next match.
— Aparna Karmakar (@thearnestwriter) March 10, 2022
Just saw the scorecard of #NZvsIND and there is no shafali verma at top
These people think all day ranting about a demand for some league will cover up all these blunders
This team got more chances than a lot of rest to prepare for #CWC22 with tours abroad so stop giving excuses— Vicky (@Tendulkrar) March 10, 2022
First 10 overs while batting
Unable to rotate strike
Shafali Verma should play every match in the wc— Pritam Datta
As far as the game against New Zealand was concerned, India lost it by 62 runs. Barring Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 71 runs off 63 balls with six fours and two sixes, none of the Indian batters showed fight in the middle. In the end, India were bowled out for 198 in 46.4 overs. The loss also pushed them to fourth in the points table.
White Ferns’ batter Amy Satterthwaite became the Player of the Match after she scored 75 off 84 with nine fours. Pooja Vastrakar also impressed after she picked up four wickets and ran out the in-form Suzie Bates with a direct hit in the third over of the encounter. New Zealand, in the meantime, won two back-to-back games against India and Bangladesh.
(@PritamDatta88)