Browsing: Shafali

With both teams vying for their first World Cup title, the pre-match talk was all about who could handle the occasion – India faced with enormous expectation, contrasted with whether South Africa could use the underdog tag in their favour.

With rain washing out any hopes of starting on time, it was inevitable the captain who won the toss would bowl first but the Navi Mumbai surface remained batter-friendly as it had been in India’s high-scoring semi-final against Australia, exemplified by Smriti Mandhana and Verma calmly cruising to 64-0 in the powerplay.

It was actually South Africa’s bowlers who appeared consumed by the occasion as they bowled too wide to the openers, who reeled off the boundaries with ease, before Mandhana was caught behind off Chloe Tryon and Verma chipped Ayabonga Khaka to mid-off.

The Proteas’ ground fielding was brilliant, but they were guilty of dropping five catches including a crucial drop by Anneke Bosch with Verma on 56, while Deepti was also put down on 35 and 37.

Verma was visibly distraught to miss out on a World Cup century but it was a staggering knock considering the lateness of her inclusion in the side and the magnitude of the game, and its attacking nature was invaluable in taking the pressure off the tournament’s poster girl, Mandhana.

Jemimah Rodrigues, the semi-final hero, fell for 24 two overs after Verma which gave South Africa a chance to regain control, but India showed impressive composure in keeping partnerships ticking over, anchored by Deepti, before Richa Ghosh’s dynamic 34 from 24 balls ensured they finished with a late flourish.

Though it required a record chase, there was a sense that India did not have enough to feel completely comfortable – only adding 69 in the final 10 overs for the loss of three wickets – with the context of India’s semi-final chase of 339.

Though Deepti’s all-round performances have been sensational all tournament, few would have predicted that Verma would also be her accomplice with the ball.

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India called back out-of-favour opener Shafali Verma as a replacement for Pratika Rawal at the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup on Monday.

Verma, who last played an ODI a year ago in October 2024, is expected to slot right back into the opening spot she vacated when India takes on Australia in the all important semi-final on Thursday.

This development comes after Rawal twisted her ankle while fielding during India’s last league stage match against Bangladesh on Sunday. She didn’t come out to bat in the second innings in a match eventually abandoned due to incessant rains.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has approved Shafali Verma as a replacement for Pratika Rawal in the India squad,” the International Cricket Council confirmed in a statement.

Rawal was the second highest run scorer behind Smriti Mandhana at the ongoing 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, having amassed 308 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 51.33. She had even smashed a century against New Zealand in what was a virtual quarter-final clash for India.

Having made her ODI debut less than a year ago in December 2024, Rawal had quickly grown into a mainstay with the Indian batting lineup.

She has piled up 1110 runs with an average of 50.45 and strike-rate of 82.83 in just 23 innings since. It was this remarkable consistency at the top of the order from Rawal which had ousted Verma from the Indian ODI setup in the first place.

Verma, who led India to the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup title in 2023, has scored 644 runs in 29 ODIs she has played at a dismal average of 23.

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Shafali Verma (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Shafali Verma has been named as Pratika Rawalâ€s replacement in Indiaâ€s squad for the Womenâ€s ODI World Cup 2025, just two days before their semi-final clash against Australia at the DY Patil Stadium. The 21-year-old opener, who was initially left out of the main and reserve squads, has been drafted in after Rawal was ruled out of the tournament with knee and ankle injuries sustained during Indiaâ€s final league-stage match against Bangladesh. The injury occurred in the 21st over of Bangladeshâ€s innings when Rawal twisted her ankle while attempting to stop a boundary at deep mid-wicket. She immediately fell to the ground in pain and had to be helped off by the support staff. Scans later confirmed that the 25-year-old would not be fit in time for the rest of the World Cup.

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Rawalâ€s absence is a major blow to Indiaâ€s campaign. She has been one of the teamâ€s most consistent performers, scoring 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33, including a match-winning century against New Zealand and a vital 75 against Australia. Her opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana has been the backbone of Indiaâ€s batting, the pair adding a record 212 runs against New Zealand earlier in the tournament. Shafaliâ€s return, however, offers India a spark of aggression at the top. The young opener has been in superb domestic and franchise form, scoring 527 runs in the one-day format for Haryana at an average of 75.28 and striking 304 runs for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2025. Though she hasnâ€t played an ODI for India since October 2024, her recent performances for India A against Australia A and New Zealand A underline her readiness. With Rawal sidelined, India may also consider Amanjot Kaur or Harleen Deol to partner Mandhana if Shafali doesnâ€t feature immediately. The semi-final against Australia on October 30 now promises to be a real test of Indiaâ€s depth and adaptability as they push for a place in the World Cup final.

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