India all-rounder Deepti Sharma on Saturday said she is ready for the challenge as leader of a velocity side in the Women’s T20 challenge beginning on Monday while she praised the BCCI for organizing the fourth season of the tournament.
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma on Saturday said she is ready for the challenge as leader of a velocity side in the Women’s T20 challenge beginning on Monday and has worked on her power-hitting and inside out-shots.
She will lead the velocity in this year’s tournament, held after a year’s gap due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in place of Mithali Raj, who was dropped for the T20 domestic tournament, along with expert fast bowler Jhulan Goswami.
“I love leadership, I have captained at the domestic level. Whatever opportunities I get I am ready to take it,”
Sharma said at a virtual press conference.
While talking about the areas of her game that she had worked upon after the Women’s World Cup in March-April this year, the left-handed batter said:
“I have worked on power-hitting. I have also worked extensively on my inside-out shots with a coach.”
Sharma hinted that she might open the innings for velocity in the tournament.
“I am always ready to bat anywhere according to the demand of the team.
“Hopefully, I will open (in Women’s T20 Challenge). I had opened in domestic cricket. I love batting at the top-order because you get enough time to build your innings and you also get powerplay overs,”
Deepti said.
She further said she would like to enjoy her game and the responsibility entrusted on her in her endeavor to take Velocity into the final.
“I would like to gain and enjoy the T20 format. I hope to do my best in all three departments and take the team to the final,”
Sharma said.
Sharma praised the BCCI for organizing the fourth season of the tournament.
“BCCI taking good initiative for women’s cricket. In the future, six teams may be there because in India there is a lot of talent and if the tournament is expanded they will get to show their talent.
“It is a very good opportunity for new players because foreign players will be there alongside senior India players. They can share the dressing room and gain valuable experience. The women players will also get to play matches which is important.”
The opening game of the tournament will be played between Trailblazers and Supernovas on Monday, followed by a game between Supernovas and Velocity on Tuesday while Velocity and Trailblazers on May 26. The final match of the tournament will be played on May 28.