Shafali Verma replaces injured Pratika Rawal in India's World Cup squad

Shafali Verma, originally not part of India's Women's World Cup squad - either the main 15 or the reserves - has received a late call-up as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Shafali, 21, is available for India's semi-final against Australia on October 30.

The selectors picked her over Tejal Hasabnis, who was the only batter among India's reserves for the World Cup.

When the World Cup squad was announced in August, Shafali was left out - and Rawal was preferred as Smriti Mandhana's opening partner - because the selectors prioritised consistency over X-factor. Shafali hasn't played ODIs for India since October 2024 but has been involved with India A in the 50-overs format. She scored 52 against Australia A in Brisbane in August and 70 against New Zealand A in Bengaluru in September.

In December 2024, Shafali also scored 527 runs at an average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31 in the domestic one-dayers for Haryana, including a top-score of 197 off 115 balls against Bengal. She followed that up with a sensational WPL 2025 season for Delhi Capitals, becoming the fourth-highest run-getter in the season and the most prolific Indian batter, with 304 runs at a strike rate of 152.76.

As Rawal's replacement, Shafali could come into the playing XI for the semi-final against Australia right away. The opening partnership between Mandhana and Rawal had been critical to India's progress into the semi-finals. They have featured in two of the tournament's top five batting partnerships so far - 212 against New Zealand and 155 against Australia. Rawal averaged 51.33 in six innings, with scores of 75 against Australia and a match-winning 122 in India's crucial game against New Zealand.

Rawal, the tournament's second-highest run-getter, injured herself while fielding during India's last league game against Bangladesh. In the 21st over of Bangladesh's innings, Rawal twisted her ankle as her foot got stuck in the turf while she attempted to stop a boundary. She did not bat later, with Amanjot Kaur opening instead. The match was eventually washed out without a result. Only Mandhana has scored more runs than Rawal in this World Cup.

If Shafali does not make the XI right away, India could open with Harleen Deol or Amanjot against Australia. Uma Chetry - who opened in the warm-up game against New Zealand, and played the match against Bangladesh with regular wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh out with a niggle - is another option, as is Jemimah Rodrigues, who has opened 18 times in ODI cricket previously.

An ICC release stated that Shafali's inclusion was approved by the Event Technical Committee on Monday evening. The committee includes Wasim Khan (Chair, ICC General Manager - Cricket), Gaurav Saxena (ICC General Manager - Events & Corporate Communications), Abey Kuruvilla (BCCI Tournament Director) and Mel Jones (Independent nominee).