The teenager, who is making her ICC Women's T20 World Cup debut in Australia, picked up the Player of the Match award for her 39 runs against Bangladesh, a game which Mandhana missed after picking up viral fever. "I used to have a major role in Powerplays, but Shafali is getting the quick runs in those first overs now too. She's made a huge impact and the team has become more balanced thanks to her," said Mandhana, who also made her India debut in 2013 as a 16-year-old.

Smriti Mandhana

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She said Verma's best attribute is the "routine she likes to follow and no one has gone in and told her she has to change that". Talking about Thursday's match against New Zealand, Mandhana said, "I don't think we will be going into the game thinking about a total, but we will continue playing the way that is working for all of our batters."

Seasoned New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu said she is looking forward to bowling at Verma. "Personally, I love the thought of facing Verma. It makes me fire up a little bit more and I'm really looking forward to playing her," said Tahuhu. "I actually played her in the T20 Challenge in India last year and I know she's not going to take a step back," she added.

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