Alyssa Healy backs Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh’s inclusion in the Indian U-19 side

There is an iconic reference that talks about the sudden transition in one’s life when one goes from high school to college, given the jolting feeling of changing into the junior-most in the former from being the senior in the latter. However, this story talks about the other way around where you go from being the youngest in a side to a responsible senior. This story talks about Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.

The Indian women’s team will be participating in the upcoming U-19 World Cup, which will be the maiden edition of the tournament in the women’s circuit. In the youth squad of India, two senior team members who are very much within the age bracket of being in the U-19 side were included, namely Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.

The world wasn’t pretty receptive to the idea that two national stars will be a part of the youth squad which will be battling it out in South Africa for glory in a tournament, that is the first of its kind in the women's arena. However, Australia’s stand-in skipper has batted for two of India’s youngest team members, stating that this will do them a world of good.

Talking to the press, Alyssa Healy said, “If you are stacking your U-19 side with your full-strength international side, then that might be an issue, but from my point of view, having Shafali and Richa Ghosh is only going to do wonders for those young players coming through and they can pick their brains in what works well, what does not in international cricket and it’s a great thing.”

She further added, “Shafali has been named the captain, which I think will be a great learning for her and a great experience for her. I only hope that it improves her cricket maybe when she comes back for the World Cup in South Africa. I don’t mind it. I think it’s great.”

The historic maiden edition of the U-19 Women’s World Cup will be convened in South Africa from the 14th to the 29th of January which will be followed by the Women’s T20 World Cup, kickstarting in February.