IND vs SA: Shafali Verma and the outrageous shades of Virender Sehwag

Shafali Verma was a prodigy back in 2021. At 17, she wasn't expected to take the cricket world by storm, more so because she was on Test debut in Bristol. Facing a bowling attack comprising Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Anya Shrubsole and Sophie Ecclestone at their prime is no mean task even in one's wildest dream. But Shafali did not flinch at any stage of her knock. Rather, she treated the English bowlers with absolute disdain, played some outrageous shots, showing no mercy whatsoever.

But soon, she ran out of luck. Batting on 96, Shafali attempted the glory shot only to hole out to Shrubsole. She unsuccessfully tried to clear mid-off and the mistimed stroke robbed her off her maiden Test hundred as she fell agonisingly short. Come 2024, the dreaded shot must have been in Shafali's mind. But with South Africa's bowling in a batting-paradise at the MA Chidambaram Stadium being tired and jaded, Shafali took full toll. She used the pace of Nonkululeko Mlaba, hit a four on the leg side and collected her maiden Test hundred.

In 2021, she had a gut-wrenching end, but in 2024, she made sure of reaching the 3-figure score with a boundary, although the shot had more finesse than the raw power Shafali is known for. Shafali has played only 5 Tests thus far, but in her short career, she has given glimpses of a certain Virender Sehwag, who is the only Indian to hit multiple triple hundreds in Tests. Shafali has shown that she is someone for the long haul.

The magic of hand and eye

Shafali Verma converted her maiden Test hundred into a double hundred. Courtesy: PTI

When Sehwag started his career, due to lack of technique, it was hard to imagine that he would taste success in Test cricket. It's the same with Shafali, who doesn't rely much on technique. Sehwag didn't play copybook cricket like his teammates Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, who were all technically sounder. However, the limitations did not bog him down.

Rather, Sehwag turned the shortcomings into his strength and kept gunning down bowlers. It was hand-eye coordination that made the Nawab of Najafgarh stand out from the rest. Sehwag was someone who made third-man a catching position early in a Test match when he did not mind pulling off unthinkable upper-cuts. For Shafali as well, going for big shots has become neat and drink regardless of the conditions and opposition bowling.

No nervous 90s

Shafali Verma holds the record for the fastest double hundred. Courtesy: PTI

There are uncanny similarities between a few of Sehwag and Shafali's knocks. Both of their maiden Test hundreds came against South Africa. Both hit a boundary to bring up their centuries. While Sehwag creamed Lance Klusener for a four through the covers in Bloemfontein, Shafali chose deep the square-leg region off Mlaba at the Chepauk. Both Sehwag and Shafali hold the record for the fastest double hundred by Indians in Tests off 194 balls.

Interestingly, both came against South Africa and, more astonishingly, both played the knocks at the same venue in Chennai. And, both hit sixes while being in their 190s. Shafali's double hundred is also the fastest in Women's Tests after the youngster broke Annabel Sutherland's record off 248 balls. Both knocks in Chennai were filled with jaw-dropping shots that gave Indian fans joy.

Milestones don't push them into their shell and rather, they make them more desperate to get the monkey off their back. Shafali and Sehwag are not amongst the ones to amble along with singles or doubles while being on the cusp of big landmarks. Sehwag was a crowd-puller and Shafali isn't far away from being a genuine favourite.

Bright future for Shafali

Shafali Verma has a bright future in the offing. Courtesy: PTI

Sehwag went on to have a memorable career after he played 104 Tests where he hammered 23 hundreds and 52 fifties. After the knock in Bloemfontein, Sehwag did not look back and tormented most bowling attacks in the world. Back in 2003, Sehwag also got out in the 190s against Australia at the MCG just like Shafali against England in Bristol.

But both batters didn't curb their natural instincts after the odd failure. Rather, they made a statement to the world that they were here to dominate. After 5 Tests, Shafali averages a stunning 63 with 3 half-centuries and a top score of 205 not out. That she gets to open with Smriti Mandhana for the national team has helped her immensely.

Also, rubbing shoulders with the evergreen and enigmatic Meg Lanning at DC in the Women's Premier League (WPL) has done wonders to her. In the last 7 months, India Women have played 3 Tests as the BCCI keeps pushing for more Women's Tests. If Shafali plays Test cricket regularly, she has the potential to become India Women's greatest Test batter by the time she finishes her career.

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