Shafali Verma, 21, has⁣ been added to India’s ‌squad ⁤for ⁤the ICC ‌Women’s World Cup 2025 as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, ‍who has been ruled out due to an ankle injury.‍ ‍Verma was‍ initially not selected for either the main 15-player⁤ squad or the reserves, but will now be available​ for India’s semi-final ⁤against Australia on October 30.

Selection Context and Verma’s Recent Form

The selection of Verma ‌comes after the selectors initially prioritized ⁣consistency when naming the ⁣original squad in August. ⁤ Rawal was chosen as smriti Mandhana’s opening ⁤partner, with the⁣ selectors citing a desire for stability. ESPNcricinfo reported that ​the decision was based on prioritizing consistency over the “X-factor” that Verma ⁢provides.

Despite not playing ⁣an ODI for India as October 2024,Verma has remained involved in the 50-overs format thru India ⁤A. ‍She demonstrated good form in August, scoring 52 against ​Australia A in Brisbane​ and‌ 70 against New Zealand A in Be.

Tejal Hasabnis Not Considered

When considering a‌ replacement,the selectors opted for Verma over Tejal Hasabnis,the only batter among India’s original reserves for the World Cup. ⁣This decision indicates a shift in ‍strategy, potentially recognizing the need for Verma’s aggressive batting style in ‍the later stages of the tournament.

Shafali Verma’s ODI ⁣Career Statistics

While Verma is a mainstay in india’s T20 ‌side,her ODI‍ career has⁢ been less consistent. The following table summarizes her⁢ ODI statistics as of October 27, 2025:

Impact of Pratika Rawal’s Injury

Rawal’s ankle injury⁤ is a setback for India, as she ‌had established​ herself as a ⁢reliable⁤ opening partner ​for Mandhana. Her‌ consistent‌ performances and ability ‍to build partnerships⁣ where valuable assets⁢ to the team. The extent of her​ injury and recovery timeline remain unclear.