'Feel bad for wicketkeepers, there's a perception that anyone can do their job': Sushma Verma

Wicketkeepers are often judged unfairly. In modern-day cricket when even bowlers are encouraged, nay, required, to work on their batting skills, it’s a near miracle that a wicketkeeper manages to maintain a spot in any playing eleven unless there’s a regular contribution with the bat as well.

So shouldn’t a wicketkeeper be judged purely on their primary skills first? Well, the direction in which cricket is progressing, that may well have become a thing of the past. And it’s a fact that India woman wicketkeeper Sushma Verma accepted a while ago as after falling out of favour with the national selectors, she returned to the grind of domestic cricket and worked hard on improving her batting skills.

In Sushma’s own words, her wicketkeeping has ‘never been an issue’ and with strike-rate being the buzzword across formats these days, the 30-year-old worked on that particular aspect with a focus on playing the role of a finisher.

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Wednesday was the culmination of her ‘hustle’ as she was recalled in India’s T20I squad having last played in the format for the country back in 2016.

In a chat, facilitated by iOS Sports, Sushma, who captains Himachal Pradesh in domestic cricket, opened up on a range of topics.

EXCERPTS

You had a productive domestic season, especially in T20s. Tell us about your preparations and what were your goals?

Well, if we are focusing on challenges then I would like to begin by talking about Inter-state T20 from where this tournament began two months back. For me, it was very different getting into a new role. I generally bat in the middle order but this season, I’ve been asked to open for Himachal Pradesh. So, as an opener, it was a very different experience. It was nice to experience how to score runs when batting at the top. You have plenty of time as compared to when playing in the middle. Situation is quite different. Initially, it was different but I was well-prepared and confident about the role. I was unbeaten a number of times and it helped my confidence.

In T20s you don’t have much time – things change at the fall of a wicket. The bigger picture is that I have to come back (in the national setup). After that, when the zonals began, my role was different. Again, I was back in the middle order. I scored some 180-odd runs and was unbeaten in one of them. So it felt good. I knew my role will be that of a finisher and I tried my best.

Sushma Verma with the Dhoni-esque finish to the match.
Sushma’s team IND-D-W won the SENIOR WOMENS T20 CHALLENGER TROPHY final against IND-A-W@ImSushVerma @BCCIWomen@BCCIdomestic#bcci #bcciwomen #womenscricket #cricket #IOSAthlete #IOStalent #IOSmanagement #AthleteManagement pic.twitter.com/8wndi40Iug

— IOS Sports & Entertainment (@iosindiaoff) November 28, 2022

Mentally, I am prepared that I will get to play only 4-5 deliveries and have to maximise those. When chasing, you then have the chance to finish the match (in that situation). So in the final (zonal), I had that opportunity. The manner in which Yastika (Bhatia) was playing at the other end, there was a scope to take some time. So, initially, I played cautiously. I was very happy to finish the game. If I make a comeback to the Indian team, it’s possible I may get the same role.

So how confident are you about your India recall? (This was before the BCCI announcement)

Depends on how constantly I’m performing and finishing the game. As of now, my thinking is that the Indian team needs someone who is playing with a good strike-rate, especially in T20 format.

And when you talk about wicketkeeping, I never thought there was anything lacking. Batting needed an extra edge though – hitting with a better strike-rate. So I’ve worked on that in the past 3-4 years. This season it has come really nice. Getting selected isn’t in my control but very focused on the process. Everybody wants to play at the top level. The hustle is ongoing.

Wicketkeepers are often judged on their batting. Isn’t that unfair?

This question I used to keep asking myself when I was dropped. Of course, you get selected after performing well both with the bat and behind the stumps. Taniya (Bhatia) also got selected when she scored runs in domestic cricket. Indian set-up is different – you may not get your favoured batting position because the team’s requirements could be different. I used to ask the same question that you asked after being dropped.

Wicketkeeping is a very thankless job and very few people recognise this skill.

I have worked with a lot of coaches, and support staff across different tournaments but rarely have I found a connection where a wicketkeeper is valued purely on wicketkeeping abilities which is a primary skill. So it depends on how you are backed and this is true not just for Indian setup but in domestic too. I feel very bad for wicketkeepers because it’s thought that anyone can do this job when in reality, you require top-level skills to perform the role well. It’s mentally draining.

BCCI recently announced pay parity in match fees. Your thoughts on the development?

Very happy with it. A wide impact of this decision is that it will inspire a lot of girls to take up the sport as a career because of the financial security. But I feel there’s another change that should be made. If this equal pay structure is implemented in domestic cricket too then things will get even better. Women cricketers who only play domestic cricket, I feel they are still not financially secure. But very good to know that a lot of parents are now more confident that if their daughter does well in cricket, she will be financially secure.

There will be a women’s version of IPL from next season as well…

Very-very excited. I remember those days when the men’s IPL began. We weren’t sure about the kind of cricket that was being played. First 2-3 seasons, IPL was also different (from what it has grown to become today). So, a similar level of excitement. And not just because there’s a competition for women but also because of its potential impact, especially on our international team. We have already started playing better cricket in the past 4-5 years. It may help us tackle the final hurdle like we (India) continue to make the final (in ICC events) but somehow aren’t able to win tournaments.

Two giants of Indian cricket Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami called time on their international careers in 2022. How was your experience playing alongside them?

Paaji the Sher