In a surprising move, India’s selectors have left out star opener Shafali Verma from the 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The squad, announced on Tuesday in Mumbai, will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. This will be Harmanpreet’s first World Cup as captain.
Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the Indian women’s team, while Smriti Mandhana will serve as vice-captain. “Shafali needs to be ‘in the zone’ to make her way back into the senior setup,” Harmanpreet said earlier about the opener.
New Faces and Comebacks
The selectors have rewarded consistent performers Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol. Renuka Singh Thakur will lead the bowling attack after recovering from a foot injury that kept her out of the tri-series in Sri Lanka. Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani, who impressed during India A’s recent series in England, also make the squad.
A power packed #TeamIndia squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 💪
Harmanpreet Kaur to lead the 15 member squad 🙌🙌#WomenInBlue | #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/WPXA3AoKOR
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 19, 2025
Yastika Bhatia, who had missed earlier World Cup selections, returns for the preparatory ODIs against Australia. Pace-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur has been rested for the Australia series but is included in the World Cup squad.
Australia ODI Series Before World Cup
India will play a three-match ODI series against Australia ahead of the World Cup. The first two games will be held in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on September 14 and 17. The final game will take place in Delhi on September 20. The Women’s World Cup begins at home on September 30.
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Despite scoring 527 runs in the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy at an average of 75.29, with two centuries and two fifties, Shafali Verma was overlooked. She had been previously left out of tours to Australia, West Indies, Ireland, and the recent England series. Even her performances for India A against Australia A—a fifty and a 30-plus score—were not enough to secure a spot in the senior squad.
Full Squad for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Sneh Rana.
Standby Players: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawal, Priya Mishra, Uma Chetry, Mnu Mani, Sayali Satghare.
India’s women’s team now gears up to defend their title in the ICC World Cup 2025, with a mix of experienced players and fresh talent ready to perform on home soil.
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