In Navi Mumbai, a surprise call-up saw explosive opener Shafali Verma join the Indian women’s team for intense training. With Pratika Rawal unfortunately ruled out due to injury, Verma, known for her dynamic yet sometimes erratic play, was seen putting in serious effort under the lights at the DY Patil Stadium. This crucial session took place just two days before India’s highly anticipated 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal against formidable opponents Australia.
Verma’s inclusion came on Monday, a direct response to Pratika Rawal’s unfortunate knee and ankle injuries sustained during India’s previous league game against Bangladesh, also held at the DY Patil Stadium.
India is set to face the seven-time champions Australia, who remain undefeated in the World Cup, in the second semifinal this Thursday.
Image: Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh during a training session.
The 21-year-old Verma first stepped onto the ODI stage for India on June 27, 2021, against England in Bristol. Her career so far spans 29 ODIs, where she has accumulated 644 runs at an average of 23.00, including four half-centuries with a top score of 71 not out. Demonstrating her current form, she leads the scoring charts in the ongoing Senior Women’s T20 League, smashing 341 runs for Haryana at an impressive strike rate of 182.35.
Verma dedicated over an hour to practice, honing her catching skills with teammates before joining the top-order batters for a rigorous session in the nets at the University Ground.
Bringing much-needed cheer to Indian fans, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, sidelined from the last league match against Bangladesh with a finger injury, was back in action. She not only kept wickets against the net bowlers but also confidently batted in the nets, showing no signs of her recent discomfort.
Other key players participating in the training included Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, off-spinning all-rounder Sneh Rana, and top-order batter Harleen Deol.