Shafali Sharma Aims for India Return with Focus on Building Long Innings

Chennai, Jan 14 (NationPress) India batter Shafali Sharma is concentrating on playing the long innings in the ongoing Senior Women's One-Day Challenger Trophy to secure her spot back in the national team.

Shafali, who has been absent from the Indian squad since November last year, has successfully led Team A to the final of the tournament. With the ODI World Cup set to take place in India later this year, Shafali is eager to return to the national team with a renewed strategy.

The 20-year-old is currently the top scorer in the competition with 388 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 97.00 and a strike rate of 146.96. Her remarkable innings include scores of 115 off 70 balls, 87 off 58, 95 off 65, and 91 off 71.

"I am feeling very good. First and foremost, the team is winning, which is a significant achievement. So yes, I am just contemplating how much more I can build on and play (the) long innings," ESPNcricinfo quoted Shafali as saying.

"As players, it is our responsibility to give our best for the team and meet its requirements. That is what I strive for, to contribute and assist the team in winning. If I can play long innings, as you can see, the team is winning," she added.

Shafali has just come off a remarkable display in the domestic one-day trophy held in December, where she scored 527 runs at a stellar average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31 for Haryana. This impressive performance followed her exclusion from the Indian ODI squad for the Australia tour, where she managed just 108 runs in six ODIs last year, averaging 18.00.

After her omission from the Australia tour, Shafali was also left out of the ODIs against the West Indies and the ongoing series against Ireland. During her absence, opener Pratika Rawal has capitalized on the opportunity, scoring 290 runs in five matches at an average of 58.

Shafali acknowledged that while she hasn't changed her approach or technique, she is now placing a greater emphasis on converting her starts into significant innings. She also mentioned that the India team management's message to her was clear: "Believe in your batting."

"As you all know, my starts are solid, but building an innings has been a challenge. Now, I am concentrating on how to get those singles, construct the innings, and perform well for the team. That is my current focus," Shafali stated.

"I believe it is my responsibility to do well for the team. I understand I am dropped from the (India) team, but my duty is to play well for the team (whichever I am part of). Currently, my focus is on the Challengers, and I aim to perform well in the final and win the trophy (on Wednesday)."

"They (India team management) simply said 'believe in your batting, trust your strengths'. They are very supportive, which is great. Every innings starts from zero. For the final as well, the innings will begin on zero, and I know the team needs me significantly in batting. Therefore, I am focused on building the innings well and winning the trophy."

Both the One-Day Challenger Trophy and the Ireland series will conclude on Wednesday, with attention shifting soon to WPL 2025. Looking ahead, India's next international challenge is the tour of England scheduled for June-July.