Sri Lanka won't be mere pushovers, especially after their victory against India in the last Asia Cup final, said talented Indian opener Shafali Verma ahead of their penultimate group league game of the women’s T20 match on Wednesday, October 9.
Verma believes that the islanders are no longer solely dependent on their skipper Chamari Athapaththu.
The Indian team not only needs to win but record a victory big enough to boost its net run-rate (NRR) before the league game against defending champions Australia on October 13.
"There was a time when Chamari Athapaththu was the one scoring most of the runs and taking wickets, but in the Asia Cup, her entire team performed well. They’ve improved a lot, which is why they won the cup," Shafali said.
She managed a sedate 32 off 35 balls against Pakistan on Sunday.
"Chamari carries the pressure of being a key player, and it’s inspiring to see how she handles it and performs for her country,” Shafali added.
For India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, the game against Australia is crucial so they would have to perform their best against Sri Lanka.
"As a player all games are important, when you come to the world cup you have to give 100 percent in each game, Sri Lanka is a good team in our group.
But with Australia, you can't make errors and minimize them, and you have to get the best game on that particular day to get the better of them,” Mandhana said.
"So, yeah there is excitement to do that on that day because they are a really good team so to come up against them and beat them," Mandhana continued.
Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur is eyeing to get the rival Sri Lanka with her audacious strokeplay.
"Chamari Athapaththu is very interesting. She's the only one from Sri Lanka who takes the team to the other side. I try to get her out as soon as possible because if she is set, she can take over the match. So I have a plan on how to get her out," Renuka said.
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