ICC Women's World Cup 2022: 'She Is Just One Big Knock Away': Jhulan Goswami On Shafali Verma's Batting Form

Senior Indian bowler Jhulan Goswami backed youngster Shafali Verma over her lean patch with the bat and said she is hitting well in the net sessions.

The 18-year-old is having a tough time with her batting performance as she scored just 96 runs in five innings at an average of 19.20 against New Zealand women in the ODI series. Coming into the World Cup, Shafali started her first innings in the marquee event with a duck after being bowled by Pakistan pace bowler Diana Baig.

Shafali Verma is batting well in the nets: Jhulan Goswami

Shafali displayed spark in her initial days of international cricket, she would torment the bowlers with her batting prowess, however, recently the Haryana player hasn’t performed up to her potential. Goswami said that the youngster is just one big inning away to regain her form back and talked about her training sessions.

“Shafali has already proved herself. She is a very exciting cricketer. But these things happen with every cricketer,” Goswami said in a virtual press conference ahead of India’s match against New Zealand on Thursday.

“I am sure she is working hard really well in the nets, she is batting well in the nets; she is hitting the ball well. She is just one big knock away and if she gets an opportunity, I am sure she is going to do well,” she added.

We discussed a lot of stuff: Jhulan Goswami on India’s bowling plans against New Zealand

Goswami picked a couple of wickets in the first match against Pakistan to become the second-most leading wicket-taker with 38 wickets in the ICC Women’s World Cup behind Australia’s Lynette Ann Fullston (39).

The 39-year-old pace bowler said it will be very important for her bowlers to bowl the correct lines and lengths against the White Ferns and showed trust in India’s bowling unit to get the job done.

“Against New Zealand, it is important to bowl in the right area. The grounds are pretty open, winds are always flowing, so how to take advantage of those things. We discussed a lot of stuff,” Goswami said.

“I think Pooja (Vastrakar), Meghana (Singh), Renuka (Singh Thakur), Simran (Dil Bahadur), they have done a decent job always when they get an opportunity and I hope they will continue with their performance,” she added.

India women’s team will face host New Zealand in the next match on March 10 at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: It Was A Complete Match From India’s Viewpoint – Gautam Gambhir