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Shafali-Verma (Image Credit: Twitter)
Indian opener Shafali Verma is the fifth Indian women cricketer to receive a NOC from BCCI to feature in The Hundred later this year. As per reports, the 17-year-old is going to represent Birmingham Phoenix in the tournament under the leadership of New Zealand's Sophie Devine. In addition, the Indian cricket board has also permitted No Objection Certificates to four other women players who will be participating in the maiden edition of the Hundred. As per ESPNCricinfo, the other four Indian players who are going to be a part of the tournament are Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodriguez, Deepti Sharma, and Harmanpreet Kaur.
The game's new format was eventually going to take place in 2020. However, it was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The highly anticipated tournament, organized by the England Cricket Board, is now going to start on July 21. Along with the women's competition, there will be a men's edition, which is likely to commence on July 22.
England vs India Women's Test match to start on June 16
The Hundred is a professional franchise 100-ball cricket competition. It involves eight men's and women's teams located in major cities across England and Wales. The format was created to attract younger and more diverse audiences to watch the sports. Cricket fans can watch with the expectation that the shorter format will mean each match lasts around two-and-a-half hours. The BBC will also show free-to-air broadcasts of the tournament. In addition, all the women's games and a few men's matches are going to be available to stream for free on Sky Sports' YouTube channel.
Before the commencement of The Hundred, India's women team is going to play one Test, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many T20 Internationals (T20Is) against England. The matches are going to commence in June. The forthcoming series will begin with a single Test from June 16-19. It will be England's first red-ball match since the 2019 Ashes. On the other end, Team India will be playing their first game of the purest format since November 2014. England and India will first face each other in a four-day Test match, starting from June 16. Then both sides will lock horns in three ODIs commencing from June 27. All the games will take place at Bristol, Taunton, and Worcester. India and England will then play in three T20Is, beginning July 9, and the three games will be played at Northampton, Hove, and Chelmsford.