Team India included Shefali Verma in the team just before the semi-finals.Image Credit source: PTI
The Indian women’s cricket team has kept the hopes of its first World Cup title alive. Team India, playing the ICC Women’s World Cup on its own soil, in front of its own spectators, has a chance to do wonders like MS Dhoni’s Indian team of 2011. But for this he will have to do what Dhoni’s team had done then – knock out the defending world champion Australia. But for this big match, Team India has expressed confidence in a player whose record against this team is very bad. Who is this player, let us tell you further.
Got a chance during the World Cup
The second semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 will be played between India and Australia on October 30 in Navi Mumbai. Although the shadow of rain is looming over this match and the danger remains on the reserve day also. In such a situation, cancellation of the match will eliminate Team India. Therefore, Team India needs the blessings of the weather. But at the same time, he also hopes to change history from his player, who has suddenly got entry in the middle.
This player is young opener Shefali Verma. This 21-year-old explosive batsman got a place in Team India just before the semi-finals, as opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the tournament due to ankle and knee injuries. Pratika had scored 306 runs in just 6 innings in the tournament. In such a situation, his absence will be greatly missed by the Indian team. In this situation, Shefali was included in the team, who was earlier ignored due to poor performance.
Very poor record against Australia
It is almost certain that once again Shefali will be paired with Smriti Mandhana in the opening. But will this young batsman be able to do wonders? Shefali has been away from One Day International cricket for the last one year. He played the last international match in this format in October 2024. Shefali’s ODI record is not very good but in this too her performance against Australia is very poor. She could score only 99 runs in 5 ODI matches against Australia. In such a situation, suddenly giving a chance to Shefali in a match like World Cup semi-final can prove fatal for Team India.