Shafali Verma ready to shine in World Cup Semi final against Australia

Shafali Verma, recalled for injured Pratika Rawal, said she is “200%” confident of performing well in India’s World Cup semi final against Australia, aiming to seize her comeback chance on home soil

Hyderabad: A confident Shafali Verma is “200%” sure she can make an impact in India’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi final.

Verma has replaced injured Pratika Rawal in the hosts’ squad following the opener’s ankle injury sustained against Bangladesh in the final group match on Sunday.

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The 21-year-old, who has not played an ODI for 12 months, is confident she can thrive if called upon against reigning champions Australia in Navi Mumbai.

“It’s just a matter of keeping my mind clear and giving myself confidence,” she said, according to ICC media release.

“I’ve been in such situations earlier, so it’s nothing new. I’ll keep telling myself to stay calm and believe in myself. So absolutely, I’ll do well, 200%.

“Of course, what happened with Pratika as a sportsperson, seeing that doesn’t feel good. No one wants any player to go through such an injury, but I believe God has sent me here to do something good.

“My father, my family, everyone was very happy. I’m also really happy to be back with the team. It’s a very good opportunity for me, and if I get to play, I’ll give my best.”

India have won just one of their last eleven ODIs against Australia but did beat them at this stage in 2017, when Harmanpreet Kaur blasted an unbeaten 171.

Verma, who feels “super ready” to slot in either as opener alongside Smriti Mandhana or in the middle order, has settled straight back in with her teammates and feels the mood is good as they bid to make another final, this time on home soil.

“When I joined the team, everyone was very welcoming,” she said. “I felt really good seeing that.

“All the players I’ve spoken to have boosted my confidence a lot, which means a lot to me. The coach, captain, and even Smriti told me that I just need to play my game, there’s no pressure.

“I just have to play the way I know, without panicking. So yes, I’ve been given a lot of freedom, and I’ll try to respect the good balls and hit the ones in my range. It’s been a great welcome, and hopefully, if I get the chance, I’ll do well.

“I’ve played against Australia many times, so it’s not something new for me. I know their bowlers and their styles. I’ll back my strengths, and yes, they’ll come hard at us but we’ve prepared a lot and everyone’s in touch.

“Hopefully, we’ll perform well. We’re focused on doing well, and if we do that, of course, we’ll win.”

Australia go into the semi final fresh from topping the group stage, with six wins and a no result under their belts so far.

Ashleigh Gardner has been particularly influential, with two centuries helping her into second, behind only Mandhana in the global women’s ODI batting rankings, while she also sits third in the bowling charts.

Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke said: “Ash has been unbelievable and I’m so happy to see her have that role, particularly with the bat.

“We all know what she’s capable of, but to actually see her sort of take that, take her game to the next level, and do that in a World Cup has been fantastic.

“She’s very diligent in everything she does. She’s a hard worker, but, I think for Ash, when she’s at her best, it’s about making sure that she’s enjoying the game and enjoying the environment and making sure she’s getting in the contest.

“It has been really pleasing to see the way she’s been playing and she’s obviously a really important player for us across all facets of the game. We are really happy with her tournament and long may it continue.”

The hosts will be backed by another strong crowd. The 25,965 who watched their clash with Bangladesh marked a new record for a group game at an ICC women’s event, but Nitschke is urging her side to relish the occasion.

“There is a huge crowd factor. We played that T20 here with a super over and it was a packed house and the atmosphere was probably something that we haven’t experienced before,” she said.

“That’s going to be new for some players, but it’s also exciting and it’s something that we’re looking forward to and looking forward to embracing that part of it.

“It’s something we want to lean into and embrace because it’s not something that we get to experience — a big crowd like that — all the time. It’s a matter of enjoying and making the most of it.”