India's T20 World Cup win could start a major breakthrough: Brett Lee

He will be supporting Australia for sure but former pacer Brett Lee feels an Indian victory in Sunday's T20 Word Cup final could be a "start of a major breakthrough" for women's game in cricket-mad country. India and Australia will lock horns in what is expected to be a blockbuster title clash at Melbourne Cricket Ground. "As an Australian, I'd love thing more than for (Meg) Lanning's team to do job. But if India were to win World Cup for first time, victory would do so much for women's cricket in a country that already adores sport," Lee wrote in an ICC column. "This could be start of a major breakthrough, particularly with amount of talent that is coming through."

'Could start a major breakthrough'

former speedster said Australia will have to look for ways to counter in-form 16-year-old Shafali Verma.

"In Shafali Verma, India boast one of most talented players in world and you feel that for Australia to win game, dismissing her will likely be ir first job.

"I've been so impressed with opener - it's staggering to believe she's only 16 with confidence she has in her own ability and way she strikes ball so cleanly.

"She's such good fun to watch and I'm t sure women's game has seen anyone like her for such a long time."

Shafali has been star of tournament, having amassed 161 runs at a strike rate of 161, consistently providing India solid starts, and that was t lost on Lee. "To be world's best T20 batter already shows just how far she has progressed in such a short of time and experience in this tournament will hold her in good stead for years to come. "Even with way she's played in Australia and her fearless brand of cricket, you still get feeling she has more to come as well."

He reckoned Shafali may have ar big score awaiting her.

"She's got a big score in her locker and re's probably better place to do that than MCG. Shafali is already a record breaker but if she can steer her side to ir first Women's T20 World Cup title at just 16, n sky really is limit for her career."