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What Went Wrong For Shafali Verma? India Announce Squad For Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 News24 –

Sports
By Correspondent


The anticipation around India’s squad announcement for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 was immense, and the final 15 has certainly thrown up its fair share of surprises. The biggest talking point? Shafali Verma, once hailed as India’s next big thing in women’s cricket, has failed to find a place in the side for the marquee event on home soil.

At just 21, Shafali has already seen the extreme highs and lows of international cricket. From smashing record-breaking fifties as a teenager to carrying India’s hopes in global tournaments, she was often described as a “game-changer” with the bat. But over the last year, her inconsistency in the ODI format has raised eyebrows. While she continues to be a force in T20 cricket, her inability to build longer innings in the 50-over game seems to have gone against her. In a squad built on balance and depth, the selectors have chosen reliability over raw firepower.

Adding to the intrigue, India have recalled pace spearhead Renuka Thakur, who returns after a lengthy injury layoff. Out since the WPL 2025 with a foot injury, Renuka missed the tri-series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Her comeback is a major boost for India’s bowling attack, with her ability to swing the new ball likely to be crucial in home conditions. She’ll warm up for the World Cup during the three-match ODI series against Australia in September, marking her international return after months of rehabilitation.

Another notable inclusion is Amanjot Kaur, the pace-bowling allrounder, who has been earmarked for the World Cup squad but will sit out the Australia series in the build-up. Clearly, the management is looking to keep her fresh for the big stage.

The Australia series itself will serve as a litmus test. The first two ODIs are scheduled for Mullanpur, New Chandigarh on September 14 and 17, with the final clash set for Delhi on September 20. It will be a perfect opportunity for the squad to settle combinations before the World Cup opener.

India will launch their campaign against Sri Lanka on September 30, and expectations couldn’t be higher. With home advantage and a squad boasting both seasoned performers and promising youngsters, the pressure is firmly on. Yet, the absence of Shafali Verma will remain one of the biggest talking points leading up to the tournament.

Was it a case of form deserting her at the wrong time? Or a conscious shift by the selectors to back more consistent options? Either way, India’s World Cup journey will unfold without one of their most explosive batters, and that in itself is a bold call.

India Women’s World Cup 2025 Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur

Stand-by: Tejal Hasabnis , Prema Rawal, Priya Mishra , Uma Chetry, Mnnu Mani, Sayali Satghare




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