Is Shafali Verma’s Next Chapter as an Indian Player Starting in England?

New Delhi, June 28 (NationPress) In September 2019, a young prodigy with an astonishing bat swing and an intrepid spirit emerged on the Indian cricket scene. Shafali Verma, at the tender age of 15, made a striking debut on the international stage with a dynamic playing style that unsettled many bowlers. However, in the realm of sports, development is essential, and for Shafali, this evolution became crucial.

As India embarks on a five-match T20I series against England in Nottingham, Shafali, now 21, rejoins the national team with her trademark aggression, now enriched with insight, strategic gameplay, and an ambition to secure substantial scores at the international level.

After being sidelined from the national setup for nearly eight months post the last year’s T20 World Cup, coupled with modest performances in subsequent ODI series against New Zealand, Shafali faced personal challenges as her father, Sanjeev, endured a heart attack and required hospitalization.

With the domestic season approaching and Sanjeev motivating her to train despite his recovery, Shafali committed herself to rigorous practice, enhancing her fitness and refining her skills to reclaim her place in the national team. The results speak for themselves: Shafali emerged as the top run-scorer in the 2024/25 Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, amassing 527 runs at an impressive average of 75.29 and a strike rate of 152.31.

Next, the Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger Trophy saw her continue her scoring spree with 414 runs at an average of 82.8 and a strike rate of 145.26. During a solid performance for Delhi Capitals in the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL), Shafali notched up 304 runs from nine innings, leading the team in scoring.

All these achievements paved her way back into the Indian squad for the T20I tour. “Everyone is excited about her return to the Indian team, and we hope she performs well. Our HCA camps, trainers, and coaches all contributed to her development. Whenever she visited the academy, she dedicated time to enhance her game with us,” shared her coach Ashwani Kumar.

He likened her return to the Indian team to a blockbuster film release, emphasizing that unlike her explosive debut in 2019, she now returns with maturity and a sense of responsibility expected from a senior player. “This is the hope everyone has from her now,” he remarked.

Discussing Shafali’s progression, Ashwani, a former Ranji Trophy player, noted her improved shot selection. “Often, her early shot choices hindered her innings. We discussed how to mentally tackle aggressive bowling, and she took these conversations seriously.”

While Shafali continues to unleash her powerful strokes, there’s a newfound restraint; she values her wicket more and aims to bat deeper into innings. Milap Mewada, the fielding coach at Delhi Capitals for WPL 2025, sees this as a pivotal phase in her growth as an opening batter.

“In T20s, the goal is to strike almost every ball, but there are moments when openers must bat for longer periods. I want to see her play at least 65 balls in these T20 matches. Establishing her wicket is crucial; she must not give it away easily,” he explained.

“Experiencing a drop from the team makes a player appreciate the value of a comeback. The recent challenges have been beneficial for Shafali, and I believe she will derive valuable lessons from the past few months.”

“Her timely return to the Indian team coincided with her strong performances in WPL. Despite a few dismissals in the 40s, if she learns to navigate those situations, she could convert them into even bigger scores,” Mewada added.

Another critical aspect that Mewada observed in Shafali was her dedication to addressing her struggles with short balls. “While with DC, she focused on facing short deliveries and those that rise above abdomen height, which had previously posed challenges for her.”

“Nonetheless, she managed to avoid dismissals from such balls. In T20s, bowlers also have limited opportunities. Her efforts to elevate her game amidst these challenges were commendable.”

Her ability to sustain longer innings, coupled with effective strike rotation, could be Shafali’s pathway back to India’s ODI squad, especially in a World Cup year. With Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol in India’s top order alongside Smriti Mandhana, Ashwani believes the T20I series against England will be pivotal for Shafali’s ODI aspirations.

“Her performance in this series is crucial for her ODI comeback. Many players blame external factors for their drop, but Shafali understood the reasons behind her exclusion, which speaks volumes about her maturity,” remarked Ashwani.

Mewada echoed this sentiment, noting, “During IPL 2025, how long did the in-form openers last? Most played until the end or near the 20th over. If Shafali can bat for 15 or 16 overs in T20Is, a century is within reach.”

“She can capitalize on the powerplay and extend her innings, increasing her chances for an ODI return. I always felt fortunate to witness her batting at DC,” he added.

While Shafali’s batting prowess is commendable, Mewada emphasizes that her fitness and fielding are areas needing improvement. “To enhance my fitness, I must put in the effort; it cannot be done by someone else. The next 2-3 years are crucial for her fitness development, which will enhance her fielding skills. Although she has excellent catching abilities, her movement depends on her fitness.”

“If she can minimize her time in transitioning from point A to point B through improved fitness, she will emerge as an exceptional fielder. This will also enhance her running between wickets and speed in the field,” he noted.

“Shafali has the potential to be an outstanding fielder due to her reliable hands. However, she must commit to rigorous fitness training and embody the mindset of being the fittest player on the team. Shafali is like a jet engine needing jet fuel to elevate her performance across the board,” he elaborated.

Shafali’s impressive displays in the T20I series against England could very well pave her way back to the Indian ODI team, a decision that the Neetu David-led selection committee will need to consider as the World Cup approaches.

No other female cricketer in India can match Shafali’s remarkable batting talent. The fireworks are still present, but now with a spark of stability, as England prepares to witness the emergence of a new and evolved chapter in Shafali’s cricketing journey.