ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Sanjay Bangar Lavishes Praise On Shafali Verma Ahead Of Grand Finale

Former Indian men’s team batting coach Sanjay Bangar has lavished praise on teenage sensation Shafali Verma, who has been lighting up the Women’s T20 World Cup with her dazzling performances. Despite her young age, the 16-year-old has raced to become the World No.1 ranked batsman as per ICC’s T20I batswomen rankings.

Shafali’s meteoric rise has prompted many experts – to sing her praises, and Bangar joined her long list of admirers by saying that the right-handed batswoman has an incredible ability to play shots all around the park, which is a unique aspect in the Women’s cricket.

Sanjay Bangar sings the praises of Indian Women’s team star Shafali Verma:

Bangar, who has previously represented India as a player, was full of praises for Shafali ahead of Team India’s T20 World Cup final with Australia on Sunday.

“Shafali has been able to do that, and she scores all around the park—that is one quality which not many people have. It is brilliant that we have unearthed such a talent and it has only taken the load off, or provided a fresh perspective to how T20 needs to be played by women cricketers,” said the 47-year-old batting coach.

Shafali has been key to India’s road to the final, where they have been undefeated so far in the tournament, having won all their group stage games. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side was given a free passage to the final after their semifinal clash with England was washed out, because India had a superior record in qualifying.

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India’s strength is the depth of their squad: Sanjay Bangar

The former Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) head coach further lauded Team India, while going on to add that their squad depth has been a strength during their charge to the World Cup final.

He added, “They have been fabulous. Winning four league games out of the four they had to play and the manner in which they won… there is new and young talent emerging which is also performing for the team. Getting to this stage without a big performance from someone like Smriti Mandhana or Harmanpreet Kaur shows the depth which the team possesses. Also, going Down Under and spinners dominating for the Indian team has been a great sign—that has been our area of strength.”

The Indian ladies will play the World Cup final on Sunday, 8th March against hosts and defending champions Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.