Shafali, who made her international debut at the age of just 15, quickly established herself as one of India’s most exciting batting prospects. Her attacking style often gave India blistering starts in T20Is and ODIs, and she was even a part of India’s victorious U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. However, inconsistency with the bat and struggles against disciplined bowling attacks in recent months seem to have worked against her during the selection process.

The selectors, while announcing the squad, highlighted the need for stability and experience in high-pressure World Cup conditions. Veteran batters like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues have retained their places, while young talents such as Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia have been trusted to provide firepower in the middle order. Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar strengthen the all-round department, adding both balance and depth to the playing XI.

Chief Selector Neetu David explained the decision during the press conference. “Shafali is an exceptional talent and has a long career ahead of her. But for this World Cup, we needed players who have shown consistency in both domestic and international cricket over the past year. This doesn’t mean the door is closed for her—she remains very much in our long-term plans.”

Shafali’s exclusion has already triggered mixed reactions on social media. Many fans believe her aggressive batting could have been an X-factor for India in the powerplay overs, especially against stronger sides like Australia and England. On the other hand, analysts have pointed out that Shafali’s strike rate has often come at the cost of her wicket, putting pressure on India’s middle order.

India’s squad otherwise looks balanced, with a strong batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack that includes spinners Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Radha Yadav, alongside pacers Renuka Singh and Meghna Singh. The management has also included a couple of standby players to cover injuries, ensuring flexibility throughout the tournament.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, speaking after the announcement, admitted that leaving Shafali out was a “tough call” but reiterated the team’s focus on consistency. “We all know what Shafali can do. She is a match-winner on her day. But in tournaments like the World Cup, we need a team that can handle pressure situations every game. We’re confident that she will work hard and come back stronger.”

The World Cup will be a massive test for India, who are chasing their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title. While the absence of Shafali Verma is sure to be felt, the squad’s mix of youth and experience will be crucial as India aims to go the distance.

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No Place for Shafali Verma as India Names World Cup Team

Aug 19, 2025 1:19 PM

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