Shafali credits Mandhana, Harmanpreet as India tops Group A with big win over Netherlands

Shafali Verma credited Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur for boosting her confidence after India's commanding 95-run victory over the Netherlands. With two wins from two matches, India lead Group A and are focused on maintaining momentum ahead of South Africa.

Hyderabad: India continued their impressive start to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 95-run win over the Netherlands in Leeds, moving to the top of Group A.

Indian batter Shafali Verma reflected on India’s dominant start to the tournament, the guidance she received from senior players Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, and the importance of staying focused ahead of the crucial clash against South Africa.

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“It feels really good to win the first two matches of the T20 World Cup. We won both games by big margins, which is crucial in a tournament like this. The atmosphere in the dressing room is very positive. We want to keep winning and make sure we qualify for the semi-finals without any last-minute pressure,” Shafali said on JioStar’s ‘Adidas Match Centre Live’.

“Things are going as per plan, the batting is clicking, the bowlers are delivering, and the fielding has been sharp. We need to carry this momentum into the upcoming games. Every match is important, and we are not taking anything for granted. We want to keep improving and stay focused on the bigger goal of lifting the trophy,” she said.

On the advice she received from Smriti Mandhana at the start of her innings, Shafali said: “I couldn’t execute my plans the way I wanted in the last match against Pakistan. I was a bit rushed, and my shot selection wasn’t ideal. But against the Netherlands, I kept it simple. I decided to just watch the ball and react. I didn’t overthink.”

“ The shots came naturally. I only went after deliveries in my hitting arc. It felt like I was in auto mode. At the start, I kept reminding myself to play along the ground. Smriti didi kept telling me to watch the ball closely. It sounds like a small thing, but as a batter, it makes a huge difference. It helps you stay balanced and time the ball better. We kept talking about it throughout the innings. That constant communication helped me stay focused,” she explained.

On her performance in the first two games, the dashing opener said: “”The England series before the T20 World Cup didn’t go the way I wanted. I wasn’t timing the ball well, and my shot selection wasn’t up to the mark. So, I went back to the nets and worked on a few things, my footwork, my head position, and my shot selection. Against Pakistan in the opening game, I struggled to get going. I couldn’t find my rhythm.”

“ But against the Netherlands, I felt I played a very mature knock. I didn’t try to overdo things. I played along the ground, rotated the strike, and waited for the bad balls. That innings was a big confidence booster for me. I will watch my videos and analyse what worked. I will try to repeat that performance again and again for the team,” she said.

On the support from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali said: “Harman di always keeps me confident. She trusts my abilities, and I wanted to show her that I could deliver with the ball as well. Whenever the team is in a tough spot, she backs me to perform. That belief means a lot. When your captain has that kind of faith in you, it gives you a different kind of boost. Her support makes things much easier. She gives clear advice and sets the field accordingly. When the field placements are right and you know exactly what to bowl, your job becomes much simpler. That is why I enjoy bowling under her leadership.”

On the big game against South Africa, Shafali said: “We have two to three days of practice before the next match against South Africa. We all know that from here on, every game is crucial. There is no room for complacency. Everyone must stay alert and focused, in batting, bowling, and fielding.”

“ In a World Cup, you cannot afford to take any match lightly. Every opposition is tough, and every game matters. As a player, you must give 100 per cent, not just for yourself, but for the team. When everyone gives their best, the team looks different. The energy, the commitment, and the execution all improve. Our mindset is simple, we will go out to win every match. We are not thinking about results in advance. We are just focusing on the process and giving our best in every game,” Shafali said.