Navi Mumbai, Oct 29 (NationPress) Shafali Verma feels that her surprise selection in India’s World Cup team for the semifinal clash against Australia was meant to be. The dynamic opener, who was not originally included in the reserves, stepped in as a substitute for Pratika Rawal, who suffered a hairline ankle fracture during India’s last group-stage match against Bangladesh.

“The situation regarding Pratika is unfortunate for any athlete. It’s never pleasant to see a fellow sportsperson injured. However, I believe God has brought me here for a reason,” Shafali remarked ahead of this crucial encounter.

Before receiving the call-up, Shafali was leading Haryana in the National Women’s T20 tournament in Surat, where she recently scored a blistering 55 off just 24 balls in her last match. She also showcased her form during India A’s recent tour of Australia.

“I was performing well in domestic cricket and feeling in great touch,” she stated. “Regarding the semifinals, it’s not a new experience for me, as I have played in semifinals previously. It’s all about maintaining my mental clarity and boosting my confidence.”

Although her One Day International (ODI) statistics — an average of 23 from 29 matches — do not showcase her full potential, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to thrive under pressure, notably playing in the T20 World Cup final in Australia back in 2020.

She acknowledged that transitioning from T20 to 50-over cricket presents challenges, but she emphasized her commitment to improving her approach.

“Switching from T20s is not simple, but we had practice sessions yesterday and today. I focused on remaining calm while batting, playing quality balls along the ground, and executing well on those within my range,” she detailed. “I have engaged in extensive batting practice over the past two days, and I feel accomplished in what I aimed to achieve.”

Despite experiencing fluctuations in her selection for the Indian team over the past few years, Shafali mentioned that her reintegration was facilitated by the supportive atmosphere created by her teammates.

“Upon joining the team, everyone welcomed me warmly. It felt reassuring. All the players I interacted with have uplifted my spirits,” she shared. “The coach, captain, and even Smriti di encouraged me to play my natural game without panic. With such freedom, I aim to respect quality deliveries while capitalizing on those within my striking range.”

Having faced Australia numerous times across formats, Shafali is well aware of the intensity the world champions bring. “I have played against Australia many times, and my approach won’t be to assess before reacting. I am familiar with their bowlers’ styles. I need to trust my strengths as they will undoubtedly come at us hard, and we have prepared thoroughly,” she noted.

As India prepares for this high-stakes semifinal, Shafali's mindset remains straightforward — there’s no holding back. “We’ve reached the semifinals, and everyone understands that we must give 200%. It’s a knockout match, and everyone will strive to deliver their best,” she asserted.