Shafali Verma believes Indian women’s cricket is moving forward after India successfully defended its gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. The star opener played an important role during the team’s campaign and ended the tournament as its leading run-getter.
She produced useful performances at important stages, helping India maintain its strong run in the competition. After another gold medal, Shafali feels such achievements can help women’s cricket grow further. She is also keen to win more trophies and medals with the national team. The successful title defence has added another major achievement to India’s campaign at the Asian Games.
Shafali finished the tournament with 188 runs at an average of 188 and a strike rate of over 200, making her the leading run-getter. Her campaign included a 49-ball century against Bangladesh in the semi-finals. She had earlier scored 40 runs against Japan in the quarterfinals, playing an important role in India’s eight-wicket victory.
In the title clash against Sri Lanka, Shafali contributed 48 runs. Her performances across the knockout stage made her a key contributor as India successfully defended its gold medal. The century against Bangladesh was especially important as India won that semi-final by 114 runs. Her runs came when the team needed them.
Speaking about the gold-medal victory, Shafali highlighted the happiness inside the team and linked the success to the growth of women’s cricket. “I am very happy that India won the gold medal and that the tricolour was flying high. The full team is so happy. The more medals we win and the more trophies we clinch, the more our women’s cricket will grow. And that is why I am so happy about it,” Shafali said.
India had already defeated Japan by eight wickets in the quarterfinals before beating Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-finals. Those results took the team into the final against Sri Lanka.
India completed its title defence with a 147-run win over Sri Lanka in the final. Indian batter Pratika Rawal said the team was extremely pleased with the result and had followed its plans well during the competition. “I am extremely happy that the team has done extremely well. This is what we wanted to do. We wanted to get a gold medal, and the team has executed itself very well. The entire country is happy and cheers for everyone,” Pratika said.
Her comments came after India completed a successful run through the knockout matches. The victory confirmed another Asian Games gold for the Indian women’s team. It also gave the players another important achievement to celebrate after their strong performances.
Pratika also spoke about the team’s preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Cricket will be part of the Olympic Games for the first time next year in Los Angeles, with both the women’s and men’s tournaments scheduled.
Asked about India starting as favourites for the LA Olympics in 2028, Pratika said, “Yes, we are working towards that (starting as favourites for the LA Olympics in 2028). The way the team is shaping up, it’s incredible to see. We are hoping for the best.” The Asian Games gold gives India another major achievement as the team looks towards future competitions.
For Shafali, the focus is on winning more medals and trophies while helping women’s cricket grow further. The title defence has provided another positive moment for the team. The players will now carry the confidence of this achievement into the next challenges, while the Asian Games campaign remains an important milestone for the team and its continuing ambitions in international cricket in the years ahead further.
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Source: femalecricket.com
