Young opener Shafali Verma has been left out of India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup due to poor recent form, as announced by selectors on Tuesday in Mumbai. The tournament is set to begin on September 30, with India facing Sri Lanka in the opener in Bengaluru.Verma, 21, who last played an ODI for India in October 2024, has managed only one half-century in six innings for India A. She has played 29 ODIs since her debut in 2019.Women’s team chief selector Neetu David addressed Verma’s exclusion, stating: “She’s in the system, (it’s) not like she’s not. We’ve got our eyes on her. Hope she plays a lot more and garners experience, it’ll help serve India in the 50-overs format.”Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the Indian team in her first World Cup as leader. The team is pursuing their maiden World Cup title after reaching two previous finals, including a narrow nine-run loss to England at Lord’s in 2017.“We didn’t want to make a lot of changes; we wanted continuity,” said Harmanpreet about the team selection.
Poll
Do you agree with the selectors’ decision to leave Shafali Verma out of the World Cup squad?
Medium-pace bowler Renuka Thakur makes her return to the squad following a lengthy injury absence.India will prepare for the World Cup with three ODI matches against Australia on home soil.The complete squad includes Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti MandhanaPratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh, Kranti Goud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, And Sneh Rana.This will be the 13th edition of the women’s showpiece tournament, with India serving as co-hosts.