Why Does Shafali Deserve This Comeback? Mandhana Excited to Reopen with Her

Nottingham, June 27 (NationPress) As India prepares to face England in the opening T20I match, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her excitement about reuniting with Shafali Verma, who is making a much-anticipated comeback after an eight-month hiatus. Mandhana emphasized that Shafali truly deserves this opportunity to return to the national team.

After an absence following last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, where India did not reach the semi-finals, Shafali has proven her worth with impressive performances in domestic 20-over and 50-over matches. She scored a remarkable 304 runs from nine innings with a strike rate of 152.76 while playing for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in WPL 2025, finishing among the top run-scorers.

This remarkable performance secured her a place back in the India T20I squad for the series against England, commencing in Nottingham on Saturday. “She’s had an incredible year. After facing a setback, she returned to domestic cricket, accumulated significant runs, and had an outstanding WPL,” Mandhana noted.

“There was never any doubt about her talent; she dominated upon joining the Indian team. She is a world-class player and always will be. Watching her bounce back this past year has been inspiring. She truly deserves this comeback, and I’m thrilled to open with her once again,” Smriti mentioned during the pre-match press briefing, standing in for the unwell skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

India enters this series following a series of preparatory matches against the ECB Women’s Development XI in Beckenham, where they have been training since arriving in the country. “We’ve had a productive 25 days of preparation—our bowlers and batters camp at the NCA (BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru) was focused and tailored for this tour and the upcoming World Cup,” Smriti added.

“We arrived here early for about eight days of preparation, including some solid practice matches. It was crucial for many players, especially those visiting England for the first time, to acclimate to the conditions. Our preparations have been fruitful leading up to the series,” she continued.

Smriti also sees the series as a crucial stepping stone toward the T20 World Cup scheduled in England in June-July 2026. “Given that we have a T20 World Cup next year at a similar time, this will be an excellent opportunity for our team to familiarize themselves with the conditions,” she stated.

“This five-match T20 series will be valuable preparation for many of the girls, allowing us to assess how well they adapt to these conditions. Having this amount of cricket in the same environment just a year before the World Cup is beneficial,” she explained.

Smriti concluded with optimism about the fresh pace-bowling unit stepping up in the absence of first-choice bowlers recovering from injuries. “We have a new look fast-bowling lineup due to injuries sustained over the last few months. However, it's an exciting opportunity. The WPL has been instrumental in discovering new talents, along with the robust domestic circuit, where players gain ample experience,” she remarked.

“These girls have gained significant experience in this format through domestic matches. It’s exhilarating to see young talent come forth. Everyone has been preparing diligently, and there’s no better place than England for a pace bowler to showcase their skills. I’m eager to see how they perform, and I believe they’ll learn valuable lessons and contribute to the team’s success,” she concluded.