The ICC\u2019s Event Technical Committee gave its approval after Rawal was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained while fielding in India\u2019s last league match against Bangladesh on Sunday. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women\u2019s Cricket World Cup 2025 has approved Shafali Verma as a replacement for Pratika Rawal in the India squad,\u201d the ICC statement added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shafali, who was not part of India\u2019s original squad or reserves, will join the team ahead of the semi-final against Australia in Navi Mumbai on October 30 and will be available for selection immediately. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her return marks a twist in India\u2019s campaign, especially after the selectors had preferred Pratika as Smriti Mandhana\u2019s opening partner over Shafali, citing the need for consistency. The 21-year-old last played an ODI for India in October 2024 but has been in fine touch in domestic and India A. She scored 52 against Australia A in Brisbane in August and 70 against New Zealand A in Bengaluru in September. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shafali scored 527 runs at an average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31 in the 2024\u201325 domestic one-day season for Haryana, including a blistering 197 off 115 balls against Bengal. Her form continued in the WPL 2025, where she was the most prolific Indian batter for Delhi Capitals, amassing 304 runs at a strike rate of 152.76. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her return marks a twist in India\u2019s campaign, especially after the selectors had preferred Pratika as Smriti Mandhana\u2019s opening partner over Shafali, citing the need for consistency. The 21-year-old last played an ODI for India in October 2024 but has been in fine touch in domestic and India A. She scored 52 against Australia A in Brisbane in August and 70 against New Zealand A in Bengaluru in September. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will face Australia in the semi-final on October 30.<\/p>\r\n\r\n