Talking Points of India’s Women’s WC squad as Shafali Verma misses out while Renuka Singh is back after injury.
Three talking points from India’s selection for the Women’s World Cup.
The selectors have chosen stability over X-factor by excluding Shafali Verma.
After India excluded Shafali from their ODI team last year, Pratika Rawal made her debut and has since amassed 703 runs at an average of 54.07 and a strike rate of 87.43 in 14 innings. Together, she and Smriti Mandhana have amassed four hundred partnerships and six half-century stands at the top of the order, and they average an incredible 77.57. No two Indian batsmen have performed better with a cut-off of 1000 partnership runs.
Shafali, who hasn’t played ODIs since October 2024, needed a strong run of form to force his way down, as India obviously desired continuity at the top. She surely done her share. Nevertheless, Shafali was unable to attend the ODIs in England in July and the tri-series in Sri Lanka in June.
Rawal’s ability to bowl, which Shafali doesn’t provide more frequently, is another advantage.
The more adaptable Yastika Bhatia, who provides wicketkeeping cover in addition to her top-order batting, was chosen by the selectors instead of Shafali as a backup opener.
The WPL Stamp on the side
India’s first ODI World Cup since the WPL began is the 2025 edition, and the tournament’s influence is already noticeable. N Shree Charani has only played eight ODIs, while Kranti Goud has only played four. Prior to the 2025 season, neither had even participated in the WPL.
In India’s 3-2 T20I victory over England last month, Charani took 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.46 and stood out for her control, fearlessness, and ability to hold her own under pressure. The selectors were correct to have placed bets on both players based on encouraging feedback from their respective teams.
In a same vein, Goud impressed the selectors with her ability to hustle batters at a blistering 115 kph or thereabouts and toss a mean yorker in just eight WPL games. They selected Goud for the ODIs in England because Renuka Singh was injured, and she answered with a fierce, game-winning 6 for 52 in the final at Chester-le-Street.
There is more to the WPL canvas than just Charani and Goud. Amanjot Kaur’s heroics for the WPL champion Mumbai Indians, which included a spectacular 3 for 22 and 34 not out off 27 balls in a dramatic victory over the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, established a compelling argument for her to return to the international scene as a backup all-rounder.
Renuka’s Return
Satghare Sayali. Thakor Saima. Sadhu Titas. Gautam Kashvee. Over the past year, India has given several seamers opportunity, but none of them have been able to secure a position. Because of this, the selectors waited for Renuka Singh, who had been sidelined since the WPL due to injury. After a protracted rehabilitation, they worked on her fitness in tandem with the Centre of Excellence, who prepared her with a consistent diet of practice matches. In order to assist her get rhythm and playing time in the lead-up to the World Cup, she now gets the three ODIs against Australia.