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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
ICC Women's ODI World Cup squad: No Shafali Verma as India opt for solidity over x-factor
Seated next to chief selector Neetu David, Harmanpreet Kaur let out a chuckle as India's World Cup squad was announced – even before there is final clarity on the venues for the tournament. Is this one of the easier selection meetings she has been part of? 'Ji haan,' she smiled. 'We were discussing that, actually, this is the shortest meeting we have had… and hopefully the best one as well,' India's captain said in a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday. Indeed, fresh from an ODI series win in England, it was no surprise that India have largely decided to stick to the same combination. There were a couple of key talking points beforehand. Whether there'd be a temptation to include Shafali Verma, after she made a pretty impressive return to T20Is, but didn't play in the ODIs that followed. That answer turned out to be a no. Then there was a question of fitness over Amanjot Kaur and Renuka Singh Thakur, and both have been included to bolster the bowling unit – the former only for the World Cup and not for the preparatory three-match series against Australia as she continues to work at the Center of Excellence over some niggles. But apart from that, there was little intrigue in the squad announcement for the marquee 50-over tournament at home. But it wasn't always this smooth in the year or so leading up to the tournament. Radha Yadav, who set the benchmark for India's fielding in England, wasn't originally in the squad for the tour, only replacing rookie left-arm spinner Shuchi Upadhyay. Sneh Rana has made more comebacks to the side than one could count on one hand. Kranti Goud, the pacer from rural Madhya Pradesh who picked up a superb 6-wicket haul in India's series-clinching win in Chester-le-Street, wasn't in the squad for the recent Tri Series in Sri Lanka. She, in fact, made her debut directly in the final of that tournament, replacing an injured Kashvee Gautam. And then Shree Charani, having played just two matches in the WPL but impressing enough, was drafted in for the Tri Series as the latest in a long line of left-arm spinners trialled over the last year. She has since gone on to win a player of the series award (T20Is) in England and has made a mark with control and accuracy. It is fair to say that, for a short and largely controversy-free selection meeting, India took the scenic route. 'Our team did well in the England series,' Neetu said, after mentioning that Shafali is still very much part of the system and has a long future ahead. 'We have been working on this squad for a long time now. We have gotten better. I don't think it would have been fair to change it too much before a World Cup. Harmanpreet chimed in: 'Team looks quite balanced to me in both batting and bowling departments, and hopefully, in both – Australia series and the World Cup, we will play our best cricket.' If they do play their best cricket consistently, there is little doubt that India will challenge Australia's stronghold of the tournament. The batting does have a settled look, although there is a case to be made that the top order looks much of a muchness. That is where Shafali could have been seen as a disruptive option, at least as a backup if not in the main XI, but India have opted for solidity over X-Factor. Yastika Bhatia, as the backup wicketkeeper and having had a good 'A' tour of Australia, will provide a point of difference if needed, but beyond that India have decided to load up the bowling resources. A power packed #TeamIndia squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 💪 Harmanpreet Kaur to lead the 15 member squad 🙌🙌#WomenInBlue | #CWC25 — BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 19, 2025 Renuka hasn't played international cricket since the end of WPL, having worked through some niggles, but her return adds experience to the bowling attack that had its moments in England. Her WPL returns haven't always been impressive for RCB but when fit, she still remains the spearhead for India. Kranti's raw talent is exciting, but to go into a World Cup with her as the leading pacer would have been too much pressure on young shoulders. While Pooja Vastrakar's form and fitness could have potentially been a major issue, Amanjot's availability is important too as India can bolster their batting depth with her in the side. In the spin department, Deepti Sharma will lead the way and has able support in any of Sneh, Radha and Charani (maybe all of them) on a given day. Indeed, all signs are that – on paper – India have seemingly made a lot of smart choices. The 50-over format is perhaps where a lot of the Indian players are at their most comfortable, and a World Cup at home offers a serious shot at winning that elusive title. Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana For ODIs against Australia before the World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana
India Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Shafali Verma still on our radar, says India women's selector after World Cup snub
India women's cricket team Chief Selector Neetu David revealed that Shafali Verma is still a part of their plans despite not being picked in the squad for the Women's World Cup 2025. Verma was the only notable exclusion from the 15-member squad as she last played the 50-over format in the ODI series against New Zealand in 21-year-old hadn't scored a half-century in her last 12 innings and was averaging 14.25 with the bat. Her last half-century came back in 2022 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Despite not picking her for the World Cup, Neetu David said that Shafali is still a part of their plans and they want her to gain bit more experience in the 50-over 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,' said Neetu David in the press conference while announcing the squad. Shafali has played 29 ODIs so far and scored 644 runs at an average of 23 with four fifties to her name. In her absence in the ODI squad, Pratika Rawal grabbed the opportunity with both hands as she scored 703 runs from 14 innings at an average of 54.07 with five hundreds and one century to her her rise resulted in Shafali's snub as Yastika Bhatia has been picked as the backup opening option, who impressed in the recent Australia A series with scores of 59, 66 and Shafali is currently a part of the India A squad on the Australia tour where she recently scored a half-century in the third unofficial squad for ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025:Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK) and Sneh RanaIndia squad for ODI series vs AustraliaHarmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Sneh Rana- Ends
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
India women's ODI World Cup 2025 squad announced; Shafali Verma misses out
India's recent winning streak has bolstered the team's morale significantly as the women's selection committee, led by Neetu David, has announced the squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Despite facing a few difficult decisions, including whether to include dynamic opener Shafali Verma and pacer Renuka Thakur, the squad has now been confirmed ahead of the tournament. While Renuka Thakur has been named in the squad, Shafali verma misses out from the squad for the quadrennial event. Selector Neetu David explained that while Shafali Verma featured in the Australia A series and remains very much in the system, the selectors felt she needs more game time and experience to strengthen her 50-over game. They're closely monitoring her progress and hope she plays more cricket to better prepare for future ODI opportunities. Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol have earned their spots in the squad following consistent displays, while Renuka Singh Thakur will lead the pace attack. The selection panel has also included two promising newcomers, Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani, who caught the eye with strong performances in the recent series against England. India squad for Women's ODi World Cup 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK) and Sneh Rana Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani and Sayali Satghare are the reserve players for Team India for the tournament.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Why Did Shafali Verma Not Find A Place In The WC Squad? 'She Is In The System...'
Last Updated: Chief selector Neetu David has confirmed that Shafali Verma remains in the system despite missing out on the ODI World Cup squad. Indian women's chief selector Neetu David has said that Shafali Verma is within the system and not out of it and the selection committee has got its eyes on her, as the 21-year-old missed out on a spot in the 15-member squad for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup, which will be played at home. Since her return to the team during the series against England, Shafali has made 3, 47, 31 and 75 against the English team, before floundering against Australia A with scores of 3, 3 and 41. Notably, Shafali wasn't a part of the standby list as well, which consisted of middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Uma Chetry, Minnu Mani and Sayali Satghare. 'Shafali played the Australia A series. She is in the system, not like she is not. We have got our eyes on her. Hope she plays a lot more and garners experience, it will help serve India in the 50-overs format," David said while speaking to the media as she and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur announced the team for the World Cup and the upcoming Australia series. Pratika Rawal, who has done well in 14 ODIs, was chosen ahead of Shafali. Shafali was part of the Indian squad that played a three-match ODI series against New Zealand last year and scored 56 runs in three matches at a dismal average of 18.66, which led to her ouster from the Indian ODI team. Replacing her, Pratika has scored 703 runs in 14 ODIs at a stunning average of 54 with one hundred to her name. Shafali's knack for tearing apart attacks in the powerplay makes her a priceless asset, despite the inconsistency that comes with her high-risk style. But with a World Cup in sight and the best opportunity to win it at home, the selectors presumably went for consistency and intelligent run-scoring. In 29 ODIs, Shafali has scored 644 runs at an average of 23 and a strike rate of 83.2. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
India's Women's World Cup 2025 Squad Announcement LIVE Updates: Will Shafali Verma Find A Place?
India's Women's World Cup 2025 Squad Announcement LIVE Updates: India's recent run of wins has bolstered confidence, but the women's selection panel, headed by former left-arm spinner Neetu David, will face some tricky questions on the inclusion of Shafali Verma and pacer Renuka Thakur when it meets in Mumbai this afternoon to pick the team for the ODI World Cup. Apart from Pakistan playing all their games in Colombo, India will host the 50-over World Cup, comprising eight sides from September 30, with their eyes all set on an elusive global trophy. Will Shafali be included despite her fledgling returns in the format? Is Renuka fit to play? Stay tuned for all LIVE Updates:
