Women’s World Cup: Shafali Verma returns! replaces injured Pratika Rawal

Shafali Verma has been named arsenic Pratika Rawal’s replacement successful India’s squad for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, conscionable 2 days earlier their semi-final clash against Australia astatine the DY Patil Stadium.

The 21-year-old opener, who was initially near retired of the main and reserve squads, has been drafted successful aft Rawal was ruled retired of the tourney with genu and ankle injuries sustained during India’s last league-stage lucifer against Bangladesh. The wounded occurred successful the 21st implicit of Bangladesh’s innings erstwhile Rawal twisted her ankle portion attempting to halt a bound astatine heavy mid-wicket. She instantly fell to the crushed successful symptom and had to beryllium helped disconnected by the enactment staff.

Scans aboriginal confirmed that the 25-year-old would not beryllium acceptable successful clip for the remainder of the World Cup.

Rawal’s lack is simply a large stroke to India’s campaign. She has been 1 of the team’s astir accordant performers, scoring 308 runs successful six innings astatine an mean of 51.33, including a match-winning period against New Zealand and a captious 75 against Australia. Her opening concern with Smriti Mandhana has been the backbone of India’s batting, the brace adding a grounds 212 runs against New Zealand earlier successful the tournament.

Shafali’s return, however, offers India a spark of aggression astatine the top. The young opener has been successful superb home and franchise form, scoring 527 runs successful the one-day format for Haryana astatine an mean of 75.28 and striking 304 runs for Delhi Capitals successful WPL 2025. Though she hasn’t played an ODI for India since October 2024, her caller performances for India A against Australia A and New Zealand A underline her readiness. With Rawal sidelined, India whitethorn besides see Amanjot Kaur oregon Harleen Deol to spouse Mandhana if Shafali doesn’t diagnostic immediately. The semi-final against Australia connected October 30 present promises to beryllium a existent trial of India’s extent and adaptability arsenic they propulsion for a spot successful the World Cup final.