In a surprising turn of events, Shafali Verma, once the dynamo at the top of India’s batting order, has been left out of the 15-member Indian Women’s ODI World Cup squad announced earlier today.
The aggressive young opener, once hailed as the future of Indian batting, has not found a place in the 15-member squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana Vice Captain as her deputy.
The announcement came in Mumbai on Tuesday, and it instantly sparked debates among fans and experts.
While the selectors emphasized “form and balance” as their guiding principles, Shafali’s omission has raised eyebrows considering her explosive batting style and past impact in ICC tournaments.
A Balanced Mix of Experience and Young Blood
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) women’s selection committee, led by Neetu David, stressed that the squad was picked with an eye on consistency and current form.
- Harmanpreet Kaur will lead from the front, bringing her wealth of experience and power-hitting ability in crunch situations.
- Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain, is expected to anchor the top order with her elegance and maturity.
- All-rounders like Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues add depth, while youngsters like Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur have been rewarded for their strong domestic performances.
- Behind the stumps, Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia form a solid wicketkeeping pair.
This blend of veterans and rising stars is designed to handle both the pressure of high-stakes matches and the challenges of the longer 50-over format.
Why Shafali Verma Missed Out?
Shafali’s absence is a shock for many, but selectors clarified that she is “still very much in the system” and may be considered in future tournaments.
- Her recent ODI form has been patchy, with inconsistent scores raising concerns about her ability to adapt in longer formats.
- The selectors instead placed their trust in the in-form Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol for the top-order roles.
- Experts believe Shafali now needs to go back to domestic cricket, work on her shot selection, and regain confidence before returning to the big stage.
India Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Squad
Here’s the official squad announced by BCCI for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur (C) | All-Rounder / Captain |
| Smriti Mandhana (VC) | Batter / Vice-Captain |
| Pratika Rawal | Batter |
| Harleen Deol | Batter |
| Deepti Sharma | All-Rounder |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | All-Rounder |
| Richa Ghosh (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Yastika Bhatia (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Amanjot Kaur | All-Rounder |
| Kranti Gaud | Batter |
| Sneh Rana | All-Rounder (Spin) |
| Radha Yadav | Spinner |
| Sree Charani | Spinner |
| Renuka Singh Thakur | Fast Bowler |
| Arundhati Reddy | Fast Bowler |
Standby Players for Women’s World Cup 2025
Apart from the main squad, BCCI also announced a standby list of players who could step in if required:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | Batter |
| Pooja Vastrakar | All-Rounder (Pace) |
| Meghna Singh | Fast Bowler |
Selectors’ Take on Shafali’s Future
Chief selector Neetu David said:
“Shafali is a talented cricketer, and we have no doubts about her potential. However, at this point, we believe she needs more consistency in the ODI format. She is in our plans, and we will continue to monitor her progress.”
This statement has given fans hope that Shafali could soon make a comeback, especially with multiple international series lined up after the World Cup.
India’s Women’s World Cup 2025 squad reflects a strategic balance of experience and youth. While Shafali Verma’s exclusion is a major headline, the team looks strong and versatile enough to challenge top contenders like Australia, England, and South Africa.
With the tournament being jointly hosted in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, 2025, all eyes will be on Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership as she aims to deliver India their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title.
