Follow UsShafali Verma was initially not part of India’s World Cup 2025 squad. However, an untimely injury to India’s designated opener Pratika Rawal in the last league game against Bangladesh, meant that Verma was drafted into the squad.
Not only did she get picked in the team, but was straight away part of the playing 11 for the semi-final against Australia, giving her a lifetime opportunity to rise and shine and write her own redemption story.
Being a part of India’s squad for a long time, having played in the final of the famous 2020 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne and getting out cheaply after a strong showing throughout the tournament, it was there for the taking for Shafali to win India a game with a record chase.
However, what transpired on the field was nothing short of devastation for Shafali in what was the most important event of her ODI career so far. Starting in a great way, continuing her form from the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2025, Shafali hit two fours and raced away to 10 off 4.
But right in the second over, she was caught plumb in front of the stumps off the bowling of Kim Garth, ending her 5-ball stay at the wicket and wasting an opportunity of a lifetime.