Twitter Compares Shafali Verma To Virender Sehwag As India Defeats NZ In Women’s T20 WC

The Women in Blue have been performing incredibly at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup currently underway in Australia. They beat the defending champions by 17 runs in their first match, gained victory over Bangladesh next and scored their third-consecutive win against New Zealand to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

According to Hindustan Times, Team India posted a total of 133/8 in 20 overs and managed to restrict the White Ferns by 4 runs.

India have qualified for the #T20WorldCup semi-finals 🎉 pic.twitter.com/3QLefaxNpE

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

There were a number of amazing performances but it was 16-year-old Shafali Verma who stole the show. NDTV reports that her 46-run knock off 34 balls earned her the title of Player of the Match.

India Today quoted her saying, “I was happy with the performance and wanted to give a good start at the powerplay. I waited for the loose balls which are my strength and it paid off today. I practiced a lot with the boys and I want to thank my dad and all the boys at the practice who helped me train well in batting.”

2️⃣ Player of the Match awards in 2️⃣ games for Shafali Verma!

Only one other teenager – West Indies' Stafanie Taylor – has ever picked up more than one POTM award at the Women's #T20WorldCup#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/WmNn3mJIZi

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

Highest career strike rates in women's T20Is (min. 200 runs)

1️⃣ Shafali Verma – 438 runs at 147.97
2️⃣ Chloe Tryon – 722 runs at 138.31
3️⃣ Alyssa Healy – 1,875 runs at 129.66

The 16-year-old is top of the tree 🌲#INDvNZ | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GaVkk5rGOk

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 27, 2020

For the uninitiated, at 9 years of age Shafali cut her hair and began playing cricket with the boys as they wouldn’t include girls in their team. In 2012, she impersonated her brother (who was ill) to play a T20 match against South Africa and went on to be awarded the “Man of the Series” trophy for her power-hitting, reports The Times of India.

Desi Twitter is celebrating the thrilling victory as well as comparing Shafali Verma to former opener Virender Sehwag. Take a look.

Congratulations @BCCIWomen on a wonderful win against New Zealand and qualifying for the semifinals. The bowlers were excellent in defending 132 and Shafali Varma has been absolutely top class for India. Well done girls. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/SeM02h601T

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 27, 2020

Another win, and indians are through to the semi final..shafali verma and shikha pandey were brilliant…well played india ! #INDvNZ #t20worldcup

— Noushad (@Noushad7995) February 27, 2020

Yes! Well done, Shikha Pandey. She holds her nerve to prevent Amelia Kerr, who was batting brilliantly, from snatching a win. India through to the semi-final.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 27, 2020

Wah bhai Wah ! Great effort by the girls to hold on to their nerves and beat New Zealand and qualify for the semi finals of the #T20WorldCup
Shafali Varma is a rockstar. Anand aa raha hai ladkiyon ka performance dekhne mein. pic.twitter.com/euq2368NTF

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 27, 2020

Shafali Verma (16 years old) and Amelia Kerr (19 years old) both bossing a World Cup match – next generation of superstars coming along just fine, thanks for asking. #T20WorldCup

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) February 27, 2020

Another Sehwag is in making…but this time in the name of 'Shafali Verma'. @virendersehwag pic.twitter.com/KcrPsCTsis

— Manikandan Deekshitha Rajasekar (@manikandan05484) February 27, 2020

Shafali Verma reminds me of vintage Veeru style of opening the inings#NZvsIND #ICCT20WorldCup

— Hukam Pareek (@pareekspeaks) February 27, 2020

Looks like Shefali Verma is a replica of you @virendersehwag sir 🙏🙏🙏

— Sandeep (@sandeep_pn2) February 27, 2020

Shafali Verma. 16 years old. Incredibly talented. You make us all proud!
You go girl💓

— Sakshi🦋 (@1dslilinfinityx) February 27, 2020

Shafali Verma is incredible everytime she comes into the pitch to glorify the ticket holders in the stand. What a player she has been in all matches. Love watching her. #WT20WC #INDvNZ

— Debapriyo Choudhury 🇮🇳 (@debapriyo_tweet) February 27, 2020

India have become the first team to qualify for the semifinal. This will be India’s fourth semifinal appearance in Women’s World T20.#INDWvNZW

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 27, 2020

Their next match is on Saturday against Sri Lanka and we wish the team all the very best! Chak De, India!

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