Sylhet [Bangladesh], May 2 : Team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur lauded the match-winning performance of Shafali Verma and said the opener is someone the team can always rely on to slam runs in the powerplay.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana's opening stand helped India clinch a comprehensive victory as well as the T20I series against Bangladesh on Thursday at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
India took an unassailable 3-0 lead following their effortless 7-wicket triumph over Bangladesh. Shafali blazed to a 38-ball 51 while Mandhana slammed a 47 to complete the formalities for India. The duo stitched 91 runs together before a one-handed stunner from Ritu Moni off her own bowling saw the back of Shafali.
"Smriti and Shafali were batting well, we were hoping they could win the match for us. After the 10th over, the ball was kept very low and their bowlers were also keeping it very tight. She (Shafali Verma) is someone who can always give us a lot of runs in the powerplay and it's good to see she is doing well. Today, she is getting runs for the team and I'm really happy with that. All of them bowled really well and Deepti also bowled crucial overs for us, really proud the way they are bowling. Understanding where to bowl and executing their plans well," Harmanpreet said in a post-match presentation.
Deepti Sharma finished with an economical spell of 0-18 in her 4 overs of quota, while the all-rounder also fired a sharp throw from point to dismiss Murshida Khatun (9 off 16).
"(On Deepti Sharma) She is someone who is very experienced, whenever we are in trouble, I give the ball to her, she is doing very well for us and I hope she continues to do well for us. Well, we still have 3 more days for the next game, we will sit and think, whoever will play, will take responsibility for the team and will do well. (On the coaching staff) They are very calm and composed, the message was clear, that is what you need at this level, clarity of thought. They are always giving us responsibility, I'm really happy they are working with us," Harmanpreet Kaur added.
India will next take on Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match T20I series.