SYDNEY, March 3: Former Australia pacer Brett Lee foresees a �different� looking India making their maiden T20 Women�s World Cup final and attributed their rise to the emergence of star players like 16-year-old Shafali Verma.
Besides opener Shafali, experienced leg-spinner Poonam Yadav has been the other match-winner for India in the competition. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side topped the group stage with four wins in as many games and play their semifinal here on Thursday.
�They�ve never reached the final but this is a different India team from the one they�ve seen before. They�ve combined match-winners in Shafali Verma and Poonam Yadav with consistent players with both bat and ball,� Lee was quoted as saying by ICC.
�We�ve always known they have some of the best players in the world but now Harmanpreet Kaur has a team around her that can support the big players, and fill in the gaps when they have an off day.�
Only a special effort from their opponents can stop India from reaching their maiden final, feels Lee.
�They�ll go into the semifinals full of confidence and it will take an excellent team to stop them from reaching the Final.�
Talking more about Shafali, who has got 47, 46, 39, and 29 so far, Lee backed the teen sensation to make a bigger score in the semifinal.
�Shafali Verma has been excellent at the top of the order, she�s brought a fearless energy to India�s batting and has been brilliant to watch.
�You feel she can go even bigger as well she hasn�t reached 50 yet, which is both exciting for those watching and worrying for the bowlers.
�We saw from the opener against Australia just how good India can be, and it�s no surprise they�ve continued that form to top Group A,� he added. � PTI
