Shafali Verma Prepares for Women's Asia Cup Semifinal Against Bangladesh

As the Indian women's cricket team prepares for the semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup against Bangladesh, opener Shafali Verma reflects on her journey this year. With impressive statistics and a fresh mindset, she emphasizes the importance of confidence and adaptability to the playing conditions in Dubai. Shafali's insights into her batting approach and the team's readiness highlight the spirit and determination of the squad as they aim for victory in the knockout stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 10, 2026, 12:46 IST

Shafali Verma's Confidence Ahead of Semifinal

As India gears up for the Women's Asia Cup semifinal against Bangladesh, opener Shafali Verma emphasized the importance of starting fresh as a batter. With a total of 104 runs across three matches, including a half-century, she has been instrumental in India's success, partnering effectively with Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order. Shafali's impressive performance also includes her previous encounter with Bangladesh during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where she earned the Player of the Match title for her 53 runs off 34 balls. Although she did not score in the last match against Pakistan, she made history by becoming the youngest player to achieve 3,000 women's T20I runs at just 22 years and 220 days, accomplishing this milestone in only 2,182 balls faced. This year, Shafali has been a standout in T20Is, amassing 543 runs in 19 innings with an average of 28.57 and a strike rate of 151.67, including five fifties.

Starting Fresh

Shafali stated, "Whenever I step onto the field, I approach my batting as if I am starting from zero. The confidence I gain from my previous innings is crucial, and I intend to carry that into the next match while maintaining that fresh mindset."

Team's Readiness for the Semifinals

India has utilized the four-day break following their seven-wicket victory over Pakistan to regroup and prepare for the knockout stage of the Asia Cup. Shafali remarked, "We had a solid preparation period. The break allowed us to recover and practice effectively, so we are fully prepared for the semifinals."

Trust in the Middle Order

While the opening pair has shown consistency, the middle order has faced challenges, a recurring issue from the recent Women’s T20 World Cup. Nevertheless, Shafali expressed her confidence in her teammates, especially the finishers. She noted, "There may have been a few off days, but all the players are talented. I have faith in Bharti (Fulmali) and Richa (Ghosh) as they are exceptional finishers and can perform well in the middle order."

Adapting to Dubai's Conditions

Shafali also highlighted the importance of acclimatizing to the conditions in Dubai. She mentioned, "The playing conditions here are quite similar to those in India, with some turn on the pitch. We are well-prepared for this, and I plan to take my time and enjoy the game."