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Former India Women batter Veda Krishnamurthy backed Shafali Verma to feature in the playing XI in the second semifinal of the Women's World Cup 2025 against Australia. Krishnamurthy opined that India would need an X-factor in the knockout game against the Aussies, adding that Shafali could be that player.
India will take on Australia in the second semifinal of the Women's World Cup 2025 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 30. The hosts have been forced to make a crucial change in their squad, with Shafali replacing in-form opener Pratika Rawal, who has been ruled out due to injury.
During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Krishnamurthy backed the 21-year-old hard-hitting batter for the semifinal challenge against Australia. She commented:
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"I'll definitely play her in the XI. There are a lot of questions about Shafali. The issue that she had was her consistency. That is why Pratika Rawal made her debut and she was preferred over Shafali. But, coming into the semifinal, you probably would need an X-factor and Shafali is someone who can do that. If she comes good, she can probably put you ahead in the game within the 10-15 overs.
"She has also scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket. She's in good form and is batting well. She comes in with a mature head now and she'll clearly be wanting to do well in this game," the 33-year-old added.
Before being ruled out due to injury that she suffered in the match against Bangladesh, Rawal contributed 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.78. She scored 122 off 134 balls in the league game against New Zealand, striking 13 fours and two sixes.
"It’s not something new for me" - Shafali Verma on World Cup semifinal against Australia
Speaking to the media on the eve of the semifinal against Australia, Shafali asserted that she is not overawed by the situation. Pointing out that she has played high-pressure knockout matches before, the batter said (as quoted by HT):
“Now you’re talking about the semifinals - it’s not something new for me because I’ve played many semis before. It’s just a matter of keeping my mind clear and giving myself confidence. I’ve been in such situations earlier. I’ll keep telling myself to stay calm and believe in myself. So absolutely, I’ll do well - 200%."
Shafali has played 29 ODIs matches and has scored 644 runs at an average of 23 and a strike rate of 83.20, with the aid of four half-centuries.
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