Women's World Cup: Shafali Verma Hits Nets Ahead of Semifinal Clash with Australia

Shafali Verma, the explosive 21-year-old opener summoned as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal, put in a gritty performance during India's net session under lights at the University Ground on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, ahead of their ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 semifinal against unbeaten Australia at DY Patil Sports Academy on Thursday. Draughted in on Monday after the ICC approved her inclusion, Verma wasted no time integrating, starting with high catching drills before padding up alongside the top order to unleash powerful ground shots and lofted hits—though some sweeps misfired—spending over an hour fine-tuning her game. Rawal, the tournament's second-highest run-scorer with 308 runs, including a century, was ruled out after twisting her right ankle and knee while fielding near the boundary during India's rain-hit league clash against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Verma then faced a stern test indoors against India's premier bowlers—Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Radha Yadav—honing her technique before briefly bowling off-spin, signalling her all-round readiness despite not playing an ODI since October 2024. Her recall over reserve batter Tejal Hasabnis injects X-factor aggression at the top, complementing vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's form; Shafali boasts 644 ODI runs at a strike rate of 83.20, backed by recent domestic fireworks—527 runs at a 75.28 average for Haryana and 304 in WPL 2025. In-form Mandhana stole the show with fluent drives and sixes, while Harleen Deol displayed intent, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues sharpened against net bowlers.

In a morale boost, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, rested against Bangladesh due to fitness concerns, completed keeping drills against spin and pace before batting comfortably, confirming her availability. India, who topped their group before slipping to fourth, face a colossal challenge against seven-time champions Australia—whom they lost to earlier—needing to end a semifinal hoodoo since 2017. With Shafali likely partnering Mandhana, her big-hitting could disrupt Australia's attack led by Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry, setting the tone in front of a raucous home crowd eyeing a final berth on November 2.

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This dramatic twist underscores the fine margins of knockout cricket, transforming Rawal's heartbreak—carried off in agony—into Verma's redemption arc after her World Cup omission for consistency. As preparations peak, India's depth and resilience shine, blending youth firepower with experience for a shot at glory in Navi Mumbai's electric atmosphere.

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