"I would choose Rohit Sharma" - Shafali Verma draws inspiration from Indian opener's aggressive powerplay batting
India Women's opener Shafali Verma has stated that she draws inspiration from Rohit Sharma when batting aggressively in the powerplay. Shafali said that the way the Indian opener utilizes the field restrictions is memorable to watch.
India Women are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. The Women in Blue will have high hopes from Shafali during the ICC event. The 20-year-old has built a reputation as an opener who can destroy any bowling attack on her day with her scintillating strokeplay.
Speaking to Star Sports, the young right-handed batter opened up on the player who inspires her the most when it comes to making great use of the powerplay. She said (as quoted by ANI):
"I would choose India's Rohit Sharma because the way he utilizes the Powerplay is memorable to watch. Even in the World Cup, there are 2-3 innings I can recall. I always feel good watching how he makes the most of the Powerplay."
Leading the team, Rohit has been instrumental in India's impressive showing in their last two World Cup campaigns. In the 2023 ODI World Cup at home, he hammered 597 runs in 11 innings at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.95, with 66 fours and 31 sixes. India finished runners-up in the tournament.
The 37-year-old was India's leading run-scorer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, smashing 257 runs in eight innings at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.71, with 24 fours and 15 sixes. This time, his performance resulted in the Men in Blue lifting the title. Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is after India's victory in the ICC event held in the West Indies and the United States.
Shafali Verma's record in T20Is
Looking at Shafali's record in the T20I format, the 20-year-old Haryana cricketer has played 81 matches so far, scoring 1,948 runs at an average of 25.63 and a strike rate of 130.56, with 10 half-centuries, including a best of 81.
Speaking of her record in the Women's T20 World Cup, she has played 10 matches, scoring 265 runs at an average of 26.50, with a best of 47. Shafali scored 163 runs in five matches during the 2020 edition in Australia and 102 runs in five games in the 2023 edition in South Africa.