It feels like I'm playing against men: Shafali Verma on playing Aussies

MUMBAI: In the 90s, and the early 2000s, there were few cricket series which were as exciting as the ones between India and Australia. While the Aussies were the undisputed kings of world cricket, full of match-winners, India, with some world-class players in their ranks, kept challenging them throughout.
A similar scenario seems to be playing out in women's cricket, at present.The mighty Australian women's team, having won everything under the sun, the World Cups, the CWG gold, looks unstoppable at times. However, they have been run close, and at times beaten, by an Indian team growing in confidence and skills, but lacking the ability to close out games.
Australia lead the ongoing five-game T20I series in India 2-1, but, going into the fourth match at the Brabourne Stadium on Saturday night, the visitors- mindful of the fact that India were the first team to beat them in T20Is recently - know that they would have to be on their toes to wrest the honours.
The Indian players, too, relish giving off their best against by far the best team in the women's game. In the pre-game presser at the Cricket Club of India, Indian opener Shafali Verma's face lit up when she was asked what it's like playing against the Aussies.
"When I play against Australia, it feels like I'm playing against men, because their game is like that. If they see a small mistake that you are making, they will take advantage of it. So, we have to be on top of your game against them. You can't make mistakes against them. You have to play your best shots, which you are confident about. I learnt a lot while playing against Australia. I love playing against them," she said, before repeating her punchline: "Aisa lagta hai ki ladkon ke sath hi khel rahe hain (it seems you are playing against a men's team)," she said.
In all her three outings, which have fetched her 21 off 10 balls, 34 off 23 balls & 52 off 41 balls, Shafali has shown how dangerous she can be. On paper, that's just 107 runs@35.66, but her strike rate of 144.59 and 6 sixes-the most by anyone on either side- tell you the damage she has done at the start of the innings. The 18-year-old explosive opener made no bones to admit the fact that she loves to whack the formidable Aussie bowling attack.
"When I hit a four (against the Aussies), I get boosted, and feel that I've improved as a player, because Australia is the best side (in women's cricket). I'm always happy when I hit (boundaries) off the Australian (bowlers). I don't get so much happiness when I hit boundaries against England or any other team," said the teenager.
As expected, the Aussies are loving every bit of the challenge put up by India's big-hitters like Shafali Veram and Richa Ghosh in this series.
"I think that they've got a couple of really exciting players. Yes, what Shafali said is true. When we play India, they certainly play to their potential and really challenge us. I think Shafali has the one we've seen grow over the years. She is having a really good series, and we've all seen Richa Ghosh in this series too. It certainly bodes well for India in the future. It pushes our group as well, it challenges us. It's exciting times and I'm looking forward to the (T20) World Cup," said Australian women's team head coach Shelley Nitschke.
Shafali, though, still needs to do a lot to improve her record against Australia- in 13 T20Is, she has got 283 runs@21.76 versus them-far below far for someone of her ability. The 52 off 41 balls in the third T20I at Brabourne on Wednesday night was just her first fifty against the Aussies.
For now, the youngster is also excited about leading India in the upcoming Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in January. "When the (Indian U-19) team was announced, I got to know that I will be the captain, my dad was very happy, as he always dreamt of me leading the U-19 side, so he was very excited. I would want to give my best and would want to make all the U-19 girls feel comfortable," Shafali said.
"We have formed a WhatsApp group. We are talking to everyone, and when we join the camp, we will get to know them and interact better," she said.