Shafali Verma Back in ODI World Cup Contention After Stellar T20I Comeback

India head coach Amol Muzumdar has confirmed that Shafali Verma is firmly in contention for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, following her explosive return to form during the recently concluded T20I series against England.

Shafali, 21, was dropped after India’s early exit at the T20 World Cup in October but made a strong statement with the bat in her comeback, scoring 176 runs at a strike rate of 158.55 across five matches. Her standout performance came in the final T20I at Edgbaston, where she smashed 75 off just 41 balls — including a half-century off only 23 deliveries, the joint-second-fastest by an Indian woman.

Despite not being part of the current ODI squad set to face England in a three-match series beginning Wednesday in Southampton, Muzumdar said there's "no doubt" Shafali will be considered for India’s World Cup campaign at home starting September 30.

“Shafali has been a terrific player. She will be in the mix. She will be amongst the core group of India,” Muzumdar said. “We’ve got a lot of depth now in this squad.”

India clinched their first-ever T20I series win in England with a 3-2 result, despite losing the final match in a last-ball thriller. Shafali finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the series behind her opening partner Smriti Mandhana, who earlier praised her comeback and expressed excitement about reuniting at the top of the order.

While Shafali’s inclusion would add power to India’s batting, current ODI opener Pratika Rawal has also made a compelling case to retain her spot. Rawal, 22, averages 63.80 from 11 ODIs since debuting in December, with one century and five fifties to her name.

“Pratika has left a big mark early in her career,” Muzumdar added. “It’s a good headache to have as a coach — two in-form openers pushing each other.”

Another key takeaway from the T20I series was the emergence of left-arm spinner N Shree Charani, who was named Player of the Series after claiming 10 wickets at 14.80. Charani, a product of the Women’s Premier League, took 4 for 12 on her T20I debut and was instrumental in India’s success.

“She’s been phenomenal. We were searching for a left-arm spinner, and she’s fitted the bill perfectly,” Muzumdar said.

The series also saw the debut of right-arm seamer Kranti Goud, who featured in the final T20I. While her figures were modest — 3 overs for 26 runs — she remains part of India’s ODI squad and is being groomed as a long-term pace option.

Reflecting on the series, Muzumdar acknowledged mixed feelings about narrowly losing two matches but was encouraged by India’s overall progress, particularly in bowling and fielding.

“The biggest takeaways have been our bowling and fielding. Our batting has always been strong, but these two departments needed attention, and this series showed positive results,” he said.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup also set to be held in England, Muzumdar emphasized that the series victory marks the start of India’s long-term preparations. “This was more than just a bilateral series — it was a strategic step forward,” he said.

As the ODI series begins, all eyes will be on how India’s emerging talent measures up in the longer format — and whether Shafali Verma’s T20I heroics have reignited her path to the World Cup.