Author: Aashiya Jain | EQMint | Sports
On a warm evening that slowly slipped into night, Indian cricket once again found a way to feel personal. Not just dominant, not just efficient, but quietly reassuring. Shafali Verma’s unbeaten 69 was the headline act, yes, but India’s 2–0 series lead over Sri Lanka was really built on something deeper composure, patience, and a sense of togetherness that showed this team is learning how to win in different ways.
At the centre of the big stadium stood Shafali Verma, bat tucked under her arm at the end, a small smile doing more talking than words ever could. Known for her fearless batsmanship and boundary hitting bravado, this innings was slightly different. It was still bold, still fluent, but also keeping mind other circumstances. The kind of knock that comes from a batter like Shafali who knows her value, understands the situation, and trusts herself to stay till the end.
India’s chase never felt rushed or hushed , but it wasn’t without its testing moments either. Early wickets can cause unsettling feeling even in the most confident batting line up, and for a few overs, Sri Lanka’s bowlers did ask questions. The field was tight, the lengths disciplined, and the pressure very real. That’s where Shafali Verma’s innings quietly changed the mood.She calmly but fiercely handled the situation tipping India towards the win.
Shafali Verma didn’t rush. She didn’t overreach. Instead, she found gaps, rotated strike, and scored boundaries anything loose with the ease that has become her trademark. A flick off the pads here, a punch through cover there it felt less like an exhibition and more like a conversation with the game itself. Each boundary seemed to say: we’re in control, we’ve got this.
While the spotlight naturally followed Shafali Verma, this win was shaped long before she walked out to bat. India’s spinners laid the foundation with a performance that was equal parts skill and strategy. On a surface that offered just enough grip, they worked patiently, varying pace, flight, and angles to keep Sri Lanka guessing.
It wasn’t a spell that screamed drama, but it steadily drained momentum. Dot balls piled up. Batters grew restless and the tension in the air looked thick . Shots that looked safe turned risky. One by one, Sri Lanka’s hopes of posting a challenging total began to fade. The Indian spinners didn’t need magic deliveries they relied on discipline, trust in their plans, and the confidence that comes from bowling in partnerships.
There’s something quietly beautiful about watching spinners at work. No brute force, no rush just chess moves played with a cricket ball. And on this night, India played that game better.
Sri Lanka, to their credit, showed fight. There were moments of resistance, small partnerships that threatened to lift the total, and flashes of intent that suggested belief hadn’t completely vanished. But India always seemed one step ahead. A tighter over here, a sharp catch there the kind of details that don’t always make headlines but win matches all the same.
By the time India began their chase, the target felt achievable, but not careless. This was not a night for recklessness. It was a night for calm heads, and Shafali Verma provided exactly that. Supported well at the other end, she took responsibility without looking burdened by it. When the winning runs finally came, there was relief, satisfaction, and a sense of quiet authority in the Indian camp.
This 2–0 lead isn’t just about numbers on a scoreboard. It speaks of growth. Of a team learning how to adapt, how to let different players step up on different days. On nights when power hitters aren’t firing, bowlers step in. When bowlers do the hard work early, batters finish it calmly. That balance is what makes teams dangerous.
For Shafali Verma, this innings felt like another step in her evolution. The over the top batsmanship is still there unmistakably so but it now comes with maturity. The ability to read the game, to understand when to attack and when to hold back, is what separates promise from consistency. And consistency is what turns young stars into pillars.
As the players walked off, the scoreline read 2–0, but the feeling was more layered than that. It felt like assurance. Like India reminding themselves and everyone watching that they can win not just loudly, but thoughtfully too.Which touched the soul of every Indian who was watching the match live.
Cricket, after all, isn’t only about sixes and celebrations. Sometimes, it’s about staying till the end, trusting your spinners, and letting the game come to you. On this night, India did exactly that.Kudos to Shaifali Verma for this wonderful match.
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Resource link : TOI
