Harmanpreet Kaur Recalls Shafali Verma’s 30-Second World Cup Meeting Moment

India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has revealed that the decision to bring Shafali Verma into the squad as a late replacement during the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup was taken in a matter of seconds, following an injury to opener Pratika Rawal. The incident occurred during India’s rain-hit group-stage match against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai, where Rawal suffered an ankle injury that ruled her out of the remainder of the tournament.

Speaking on JioStar’s ‘Unstoppable’ series, Harmanpreet said the team initially sought clarity on Rawal’s condition but was informed that there was no possibility of her recovery in time for the knockout stages. She added that once the confirmation came through, the leadership group and team management reached a swift consensus on the replacement.

According to Harmanpreet, the final decision was effectively made in a brief 30-second discussion, where Shafali Verma’s name was unanimously agreed upon by players and stakeholders. She noted that despite Shafali not being among the original standby players, the group felt confident in her ability to deliver on the big stage, particularly given her experience and aggressive batting style.

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Shafali went on to justify the decision with a match-defining performance in the final against South Africa, scoring 87 runs and contributing two wickets to help India secure their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title. Her all-round display played a key role in India’s historic triumph on home soil. Head coach Amol Muzumdar recalled the emotional impact of Rawal’s injury, describing it as a difficult moment for the team.

He said the coaching staff had to quickly regain composure and refocus on the tournament despite the setback, acknowledging the uncertainty it created ahead of the knockout phase. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana highlighted the importance of Shafali’s prior international experience, stating that her familiarity with ODI cricket and her attacking mindset made her the ideal choice for high-pressure matches.

Mandhana added that the team encouraged Shafali to play with freedom and confidence, drawing on her domestic form. Shafali Verma herself reflected on the emotional journey of missing out on the original World Cup squad, calling it one of the toughest phases of her career. She said she used the setback as motivation to improve her game and stay mentally prepared, even when out of the national setup.

She also recalled receiving the call informing her of the late inclusion while she was away with her domestic team in Surat. Shafali said she immediately shifted focus to preparing for the knockout stages, acknowledging the challenge of transitioning back into international competition at such short notice after being out of the team for nearly a year.

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