Opener Shafali Verma declared herself a complete all-rounder on Wednesday, 24 June, ahead of India's pivotal 2026 Women's T20 World Cup Group A clash against Bangladesh in Manchester. With India's semifinal hopes hanging by a thread following their six-wicket loss to South Africa, Shafali said she is ready to step up with both bat and ball whenever the team needs her.

Shafali's Bowling Credentials

The assertive declaration comes on the back of a disciplined bowling performance against South Africa, where Shafali returned figures of 1 for 22 in her four overs at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Despite India's defeat — their first in the 12-team competition — her bowling effort was widely noted as a positive.

'Yes, I would say I am an all-rounder now. In domestic cricket, playing for Haryana, I have always tried to bowl, as a captain too, and used to think about what I could do if I got a chance to bowl for the Indian team. I had prepared for it and worked hard. That is why I could execute well. As a player, I would like to put my hand up and serve the team in a given situation,' Shafali said at the pre-match press conference.

Family Roots Behind the Bowling Ambition

Shafali also credited her family for nurturing her bowling instincts early in her career. 'My brother is a leg-spinner, and he said I too should bowl. My father now is happy and tells me it was good that I bowled in those days,' she said. This backstory underscores how her all-round skills were shaped well before the international stage — a detail that adds credibility to her current confidence.

Team Morale After South Africa Defeat

India's dressing room took a morale hit after the loss to the Proteas, but Shafali indicated the squad has regrouped quickly. 'Whenever there is a bad day as a team, we know that the morale of the entire team will be down. But the next day, everyone knows that we need to come together and motivate each other,' she said.

She added that the team addressed the setback in a group huddle. 'Yesterday, we spoke about it in the huddle — we know it's a crucial game, but we will back each other. We will give our best in preparation over the next two days,' she noted. Notably, this is the kind of collective reset that India have needed in knockout-pressure tournaments before.

What India Need Against Bangladesh

A win over Bangladesh on Thursday is essential for India to remain in semifinal contention. Shafali stressed the team cannot afford complacency. 'We can't take any team lightly. They also came here to play good cricket. We will go game by game and try to play our best cricket and try to win that game,' she concluded.

This comes amid a competitive Group A where margins are slim and every result carries significant weight on the points table. India's ability to deploy Shafali as a genuine bowling option could prove a tactical advantage as the tournament enters its decisive phase.