Not every day Meg Lanning plays second fiddle. Not everyone can leave awestruck. But on Saturday, the Delhi Capitals captain was happy to cheer her 19-year-old opening partner Shafali Verma from the non-striker’s end.
After Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul skittled the Giants to a paltry total of 105 for 9 from their 20 overs, Lanning could only lean back and admire the thrilling batting at the other end as the Shafali raced to an unbeaten 76, blitzing five sixes and 10 fours in 28 balls of carnage.
The capitals chased down the total in just 7.1 overs.
MAXIMUM 💥@TheShafaliVerma Wasting no time in the chase as she has raced to 40* off 15 deliveries!
Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/ea9cEEkMGR#TATAWPL , #GGvDC , @DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/a9x5iYL6U8
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) Mar 11, 2023
At the post-match presentation, Anjum Chopra asked Lanning: Were you guys in a hurry to catch a flight?
“Shafali certainly looked as if she was (trying to make sure she caught an early flight),” laughed Lanning.
“That was a pretty cool show to watch from the other end. I was just cheerleading from the non-strikers’ end. Some pretty clean hitting, some of the best I’ve seen, a pretty amazing performance.”
Mission accomplished, Shafali ✌️#YehHaiNayiDilli #CapitalsUniverse #GGvDC #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/93EoBCcRSP
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) Mar 11, 2023
When asked about her advice to Shafali, Lanning said: “I did say to her, ‘just keep it simple, stay still and hit the ball straight’ – and that’s exactly what she did,” admitted Lanning, who may come to rue that. Tip with Verma set to torment Australia’s bowlers for years to come.
“It was a lot of fun out there and hopefully she can continue on and be really confident from this innings and know that by keeping it really simple that’s going to be a great way to have the success that she wants.”
🤝#YehHaiNayiDilli #CapitalsUniverse #TATAWPL #GGvDC pic.twitter.com/YWRklcvtnV
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) Mar 11, 2023
Shafali also acknowledged how Lanning’s presence at the other end gave her comfort.
“In the last game, I got out while playing the flick. So I tried to play straight. Thanks to Meg and thanks to all my teammates and my family. Of course, I’m known for sixes so I like that a little more. I will keep working hard and will try to score runs for my team. We were thinking of giving our best,” said Shafali.
On why she looked in such a hurry, the 19-year-old said: “Just wanted to give my best. If we finished it early, we thought we could get a rest and enjoy ourselves.”
“We (me and Meg) knew we could not take this target lightly. We just kept helping each other and that helps a lot on the ground.”
On the target they would have had in mind had they batted first, Shafali said: “The wicket was very good. The ball was skidding on nicely. 200-plus is what I would say.