‘She keeps me calm’ – Shafali Verma credits Smriti Mandhana’s presence after their century stand vs Netherlands

Shafali Verma has acknowledged how Smriti Mandhana’s presence helps her perform to the best of her abilities whilst opening the batting. This comes after the pair played a significant role in helping India Women secure a convincing 95-run victory over the Netherlands Women during the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Verma stated that Mandhana constantly advises her not to strive and hit every ball for big runs, and instead to wait for the right opportunity by knocking the ball along the ground. This calming presence on the field helped the pair forge a 100-run partnership whilst opening the batting, with the 22-year-old hitting her maiden T20I half-century, and the more experienced Mandhana went on to score a 47-ball 74 to be named Player of the Match. 

Verma, along with the left-handed batter, put on 115 runs for the first wicket from just 71 balls to help India reach 209 from 20 overs. 

“She keeps advising me, because I feel like hitting a six every ball, but she’s the one who keeps me calm, tells me loose balls will come and I have to play along the ground too. So she keeps me calm and she spoke very well with me today, she was making me understand on every ball. So it felt great, we had a 100-plus partnership and we are trying to do the same in the upcoming matches,” Shafali said in the press conference via ESPNcricinfo. 

Verma also stated the importance of having an opening partner who understands each other’s game, strengths and weaknesses. This helps the duo rotate the strike according to the bowler and make full use of their varied skill sets. 

“She has the best seat to tell me what I’m doing is right or wrong, and then even I have the best seat to tell her which bowler I can take on. We both know who should take the strike when there’s an offspinner, or when there’s a left-arm spinner. We have been playing with each other for many years, so we both know about each other a lot,” she added. 

India secured their second consecutive win in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup and currently find themselves at the top of Group 1 with four points from two matches. Their next game will see them face South Africa Women at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, June 21, in what could decide their chances to qualify for the knockouts.

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