Indian batter Shafali Verma was drafted into the squad as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, ahead of the 2025 Women’s World Cup semifinal clash against Australia at Navi Mumbai on Thursday. The 21-year-old replaced Rawal, who sustained an ankle injury during the hosts’ final league phase match against Bangladesh on Sunday.
Verma, who was neither part of the main squad nor part of the reserves, has been in excellent form for Haryana in the senior women’s T20 trophy, amassing 341 runs in nine matches.
“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. Verma was named as a replacement after Rawal was ruled out after sustaining an injury to her right ankle while fielding in the league match against Bangladesh on Sunday.”
“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad,” an ICC press release said.
Verma has played 29 ODIs for India and scored 644 runs at an average of 23. She has amassed four half-centuries in her 50-over career, with a best score of 71 not out. She last played an ODI for India against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in October 2024.
The right-handed batter was part of the side that bowed out in the league phase of the 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand.
Neetu David, who concluded her term as the chairman of the women’s senior selection committee, had said during the World Cup squad announcement that Verma was a part of the scheme of things. She added that the selectors had kept an eye on her and felt that she would only get better with experience.
Story continues below this ad
“Shafali Verma is very much part of our system. Right now, she is playing in Australia, but we are keeping an eye on her. The idea is that the more she plays, the more experience she gains, and that will help India in the future, especially in the 50-over format,” David had said.
India did have four players to choose from the reserves, who included Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra and Sayali Satghare.
Uma Chetry, who made her ODI debut against Bangladesh on Sunday, was drafted into the squad after Yastika Bhatia injured her knee weeks before the start of the tournament.
