Look at the fate of Shefali Verma, she was not a part of the team for ODI World Cup 2025. Pratika Rawal was performing brilliantly as an opening batsman, but she got badly injured before the semi-finals. Due to this, Pratika had to be out of the tournament, then Shefali was included in the team. She was out after scoring only 10 runs in the semi-finals, but got her name registered in the pages of history by playing a memorable inning of 87 runs in the final. Her father narrated an emotional story of his childhood, when Shefali’s bat was broken.

Shefali Verma’s father Sanjeev Verma is a jeweler by profession, he taught his daughter the first tricks of cricket. Even today, whenever Shefali has to take any big decision, she takes advice from her father. Shefali, who today beats good bowlers with her batting, used to play with a plastic bat in her childhood. From the very beginning, his focus was on cricket, he had decided to become a cricketer after seeing Sachin Tendulkar.

Shefali Verma’s father narrated an emotional story

Amar Ujala’s report quoted Sanjeev Verma as saying that the financial condition of the family was not very good, but Shefali’s passion for cricket was unwavering. She used to play with a plastic bat in her childhood, she made continuous efforts to improve her technique and timing. Her father told that from the beginning she focused only on cricket, she used to practice batting daily and improve herself.

At the age of 15, Shefali Verma made it to the Indian women’s T20 team, till June 2021 she became the youngest female player to represent India. In the report, her father told that once while practicing, Shefali’s bat was broken. Then he said, Papa, the ball will not cross the boundary with this bat. The father then went to Meerut on a scooter and returned with 6 brands of bats. He said that Shefali had cricket in her eyes, how could I stop her.

Took resolution after seeing Sachin

Shefali used to play cricket since childhood, but in 2013 she decided that she would become a cricketer. He took this resolution after watching Sachin Tendulkar playing a Ranji Trophy match. Initially she used to play cricket with boys to strengthen her batting, after which she improved her game in the academy. To avoid getting distracted while playing cricket, Shefali had also got her hair cut.

The Indian team has won the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Team India won the World Cup title for the first time. In the final, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team India defeated South Africa by 52 runs. Shefal Verma played the most important role in this victory of India. Shefali performed brilliantly with both bat and ball in the title match. But do you know that Shefali Verma was not a part of Team India in this World Cup. She was neither in the World Cup squad nor among the reserve players.

Yes, Shefali Verma, who performed brilliantly in the final, was not included in the first World Cup squad. The selectors dropped him from the team due to lack of consistency in his performance. Even in the list of reserve players, Shefali did not get a place.

Got a place in the team as a replacement for Pratika Raval

Shefali Verma’s luck brightened when Pratika Rawal got injured. Pratika Rawal got injured while fielding in the match against Bangladesh. His leg was twisted. For this reason, she was dropped from the knockout matches of the World Cup and Shefali Verma was included in the team as her replacement. In this way, Shefali Verma returned to the Indian ODI team after more than a year. Earlier in the semi-finals, Shefali was out after scoring only 10 runs, but in the finals she stole the show.

India alone won the World Cup title

In the final match, Shefali Verma played a stormy innings of 87 runs in just 78 balls with the bat. During this, 7 fours and 2 sixes came from his bat. After this he took two wickets in bowling. Shefali first dismissed Sune Luus and then sent Marijane Kapp to the pavilion. Due to this explosive performance of Shefali, she got the title of Player of the Match.

The final match of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is being played between India and South Africa in Navi Mumbai. After losing the toss and opting to bat first, Team India has put 298 runs on the board in 50 overs. For India, opener Shefali Verma played a brilliant inning of 87 runs in 78 balls. However, she missed scoring a century. His partner Smriti Mandhana scored 45 runs. Both also made a century partnership. In the end, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh batted strongly and took the score close to 300. However, Team India could score only 36 runs in the last 5 overs. This was the reason why the Indian team could not cross 300.

At one time it seemed that the Indian team would easily reach 320, but the South African bowlers did not allow the Indian batsmen to hit big shots in the death overs. India’s score was 262 runs in 45 overs. Still, Team India could not touch the figure of 300. Still, this is the second highest score in the final in the history of Women’s ODI World Cup.

For India, Smriti Mandhana scored 45 runs in 58 balls with the help of 8 fours. Shefali Verma hit 7 fours and two sixes during her innings of 87 runs in 78 balls. Last match’s centurion Jemimah Rodriguez was out after scoring 24 runs in 37 balls. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s bat also did not work. He scored 20 runs in 29 balls with two fours.

Deepti Sharma was run out on the last ball after scoring 58 runs in 58 balls. Three fours and one six came from his bat. Richa Ghosh scored an important 34 runs. In his inning of 24 balls, he hit 3 fours and 2 sixes. Amanjot Kaur was out after scoring 12 runs.

For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka took 3 wickets for 58 runs in 9 overs. Apart from this, Chloe Tryon, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk took one wicket each.

The pair of Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave a great start to India in the Women’s ODI World Cup final, both of them made a century partnership (104) for the first wicket. In the final, South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first. Shefali played a brilliant inning of 87 runs in 78 balls, in which she hit 2 sixes and 7 fours. She missed her century, being dismissed by Ayabanga Khaka in the 28th over.

Hit a six in the style of Sachin Tendulkar

Of the two sixes hit by Shefali Verma in the World Cup final, one was of 73 meters. In the style of Sachin Tendulkar, he hit a six on the sight screen in long straight without swinging the bat completely. He hit this shot in the 15th over bowled by Nadine de Klerk, with this shot the entire stadium echoed with noise.

A shot that leaves you going

We’re witnessing vintage #ShafaliVermadelivering on the grandest stage, just when it matters the most!
#CWC25 Final #INDvSALIVE NOW https://t.co/gGh9yFhTix pic.twitter.com/1mwc8WsLH9

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 2, 2025

Got a chance due to Pratika Rawal’s injury

Shafali Verma was dropped from the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 team, she was not a part of the squad earlier. Pratika Raval was also performing brilliantly in the opening, but due to injury she had to be out of the tournament. After this, she played the first match of the tournament against Australia in the semi-finals, but was out after scoring 10 runs. There was pressure on him in the final, but he played a brilliant inning of 87 runs.

pic.twitter.com/PbhPn1fpYt

There’s a long way to go in the big final but Shafali Verma deserves a lot of praise already. She was not in the initial squad, came in as a replacement and took on SA bowlers right from the word go.

It’s never easy to play aggressive game in the…

— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) November 2, 2025

Shefali Verma’s mood was going off

While talking to ANI, before the finals, Shefali Verma’s mother had told that Shefali was in a bit of a mood because she could not score big in the semi-finals. So we joked with him and said that no problem, you will do well in the next match. He had said that we have full hope from Shefali, and the team will come back only after winning the World Cup.

#WATCH Rohtak, Haryana: On Women’s World Cup 2025 Final, Shafali Verma’s Mother Parveen Bala says, “… We all are excited and full of hope for Shafali, she is determined to perform well from start to finish to help the team win… We called and encouraged Shafali not to worry… pic.twitter.com/1WZhNsqo5h

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2025

Let us tell you that Shefali Verma first thought of becoming a cricketer after seeing Sachin Tendulkar. She saw Sachin in a Ranji Trophy match in Rohtak, where she got inspired by the God of Cricket.

The second semi-final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is being played between India and Australia at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai. According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of rain during the match today. The match was stopped for about 15 minutes due to rain in the sixth over. In such a situation, fans want to know what would happen if the semi-finals between India and Australia could not be held today due to rain? Which team will enter the final? Here everyone will get the answer.

Reserve day has been kept for the semi-finals

First of all, let us tell you that if the match between India and Australia does not take place today due to rain, then this match will be played tomorrow. Wherever the match stops today, the match will start from the same place tomorrow. ICC has kept reserve days for both the semi-final and final matches.

What will happen if it rains on the reserve day also?

This question is much bigger. If the match is not played today then it will be played tomorrow i.e. on 31st October, but if it rains on 31st October and the match is cancelled, then the Australian team will enter the final due to being on top in the points table. Let us tell you that in the league stage, the Australian team had won 6 out of 7 matches. One match of Australia was washed out due to rain. Whereas Team India could win only 3 matches in the league stage.

Australia has chosen batting

Well, the semi-final match between India and Australia started on time amidst the strong possibility of rain. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Captain Alyssa Healy has returned to the pavilion after scoring only five runs in 15 balls. His wicket fell in the sixth over. As soon as he was out, the match was stopped due to rain. However, the match resumed after a 15-minute interruption. You can watch all the updates and live scores of the match on ABP Live.

Also read-

IND-W vs AUS-W Semifinal Live Score: Rain stopped, play started again, Kranti Gaur averted the biggest danger

Today the second semi-final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup is to be played between India and Australia. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, Team India would like to defeat the Australian team and enter the finals. The semi-final match between India and Australia will be played at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Before the Women’s World Cup, the Australian team had come to tour India, in which a series of three ODI matches was played. The Indian team lost this series, but there was one match in which Team India won. India defeated Australia by 102 runs in the second ODI. On the other hand, if Team India defeats Australia in the semi-final match of the World Cup today, then it will directly qualify for the final.

What time will the match start?

The semi-final match between India and Australia will be played today on Wednesday, 30 October at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This match will start at 3 pm. Just half an hour before this, the toss of this semi-final match will take place at 2:30 pm.

On which TV channel will the live streaming of the semi-finals be held?

The broadcasting rights of Women’s World Cup 2025 are with Star Sports Network. The semi-final match played between India and Australia will also be shown on Star Sports.

On which OTT platform to watch live match?

Live streaming of the semi-final match between India and Australia will be on Jio Hotstar app. Along with this, you can also watch this match live on Jio Hotstar website.

India’s probable playing eleven in the semi-finals- Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol/Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaur, Shri Charani and Renuka Thakur.

Australia’s probable playing eleven in the semi-finals- Alyssa Healy (captain/wk), Phoebe Lichfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashley Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt.

In-form opening batsman Pratika Rawal was ruled out of the remaining matches of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on Monday due to knee and ankle injuries, dealing a huge blow to the Indian team. Shefali Verma was included in the team in place of Pratika. Shefali last played ODI match a year ago.

Pratika sprained her right ankle during India’s final league match against Bangladesh at the DY Patil Stadium.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement, “After Pratika Raval suffered an injury to her right ankle while fielding in the league match against Bangladesh, Shafali Verma has been included in the squad in her place. ,

On the last ball of the 21st over, when Pratika ran from deep midwicket to stop the ball, her right foot got stuck in the wet ground and she fell down groaning in pain.

The Indian player ran to Pratika and a stretcher was also brought to the field but the 25-year-old player went out of the field with the help of the support staff.

Pratika has been in excellent form throughout the tournament and has scored 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33. He scored his first World Cup century against New Zealand. During this period, she also became the joint fastest player to score 1000 runs in women’s ODI.

Pratika made good partnerships with Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order.

India will face defending champion Australia in the semi-finals on Thursday while the final will be held on Sunday.

Aggressive batsman Shefali Verma can be directly included in the playing eleven. The 21-year-old opening batsman’s ODI record is normal, he has scored 644 runs in 29 matches at an average of 23. Due to lack of consistency in performance, Shefali could not make her place in the ODI team. However, he has retained his place in the shorter format.

There is also doubt over the fitness of Richa Ghosh. This wicketkeeper batsman had injured her finger against New Zealand and after that she was out of the match against Bangladesh.

Sudhir

Before the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup, Pratika Raval was out of the tournament due to injury. Now Shefali Verma has got a chance in Team India as her replacement. The Technical Committee of the World Cup has approved the demand to bring Shefali Verma in Team India in place of Pratika Raval. Let us tell you that India’s semi-final match is going to be played against Australia on 30th October.

Pratika Rawal was in amazing form, so it will not be easy for Shefali Verma to compensate her. Actually, while fielding in the match against Bangladesh, Pratika’s foot slipped and due to the twist of her foot, she got injured in her knee and ankle. For this reason she neither came back to fielding nor to bat. In her place, Amanjot Kaur opened the innings with Smriti Mandhana in the match against Bangladesh. However, the match could not be completed due to rain.

Before getting injured, Pratika had scored 308 runs in 7 innings of the World Cup at an average of more than 51. On the other hand, Shefali Verma could not make it to the World Cup squad due to poor form. Now in the semi-finals, he will have a chance to stake his claim to return to the team by playing big innings.

Shefali got her form back

While playing for India A before the World Cup, Shefali Verma played an inning of 70 runs in 49 balls against New Zealand. Shefali is also the highest run-scorer in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. In this tournament, he has scored 341 runs at an average of 56.83 and he has batted at a strike rate of 182.

Also read:

India or Australia, which team’s players dominate the ICC T20I rankings? Know the latest ICC Rankings

Prithvi Shaw’s stormy century in Ranji Trophy, gave a befitting reply to the critics by scoring a century in 72 balls.