Shafali Verma vs Smriti Mandhana - comparing their stats after 29 ODIs ahead of Women's World Cup 2025 semifinal

It’s nothing less than a fairytale for Shafali Verma as she replaced injured Pratika Rawal after getting ignored in the main squad for the Women’s World Cup 2025. The swashbuckling opener has been added to the 15-member team ahead of India’s semifinal fixture against defending champions Australia.

Notably, Shafali hasn’t been part of the ODI squad since the ODI series against New Zealand at home last year. The ouster came following her consecutive failures in her last 11 matches. However, the 21-year-old looked impressive with the bat during India A's tour of Australia earlier this year. The right-handed batter scored 36 and 52 in the ODI series. She followed that up with 70 against New Zealand during the Women’s World Cup warm-up game for the A side.

Having played 29 ODIs for India, Shafali possesses the experience to replace Pratika Rawal straight away in the playing XI for the semifinal match against Australia, scheduled to be played in Navi Mumbai on October 30. However, the Rohtak-born player has big shoes to fill as Pratika amassed 308 runs in just six innings at an average of 51.33 with the help of one century and a fifty in the ongoing World Cup.

In this article, we will compare Shafali’s record to India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana after 29 ODIs.

Comparing Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s records after 29 ODIs

Most runs

Shafali Verma made her ODI debut against England in 2021. Since then, she has amassed 644 runs in 29 innings at an average of 23 with the help of four half-centuries.

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs
Shafali Verma	29	29	644
Smriti Mandhana	29	29	914

(Stats: ESPNcricinfo Statsguru)

On the other hand, Smriti Mandhana made her ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2013. The left-handed batter scored 914 runs at an average of 32.64 with the help of two centuries and six fifties in her first 29 games.

Average and Strike rate

Shafali Verma has an average of 23 after 29 games, which has significantly dropped from 30.70 in July 2022. She enjoys a strike rate of 83.20.

Players	Matches	Averages	Strike rates
Shafali Verma	29	23	83.20
Smriti Mandhana	29	32.64	77.26

(Stats: ESPNcricinfo Statsguru)

On the other hand, Smriti Mandhana averaged 32.64 after her first 29 outings for the national team. In those games, she managed a strike rate of 77.26.

Most half-century scores

Shafali Verma has scored four half-centuries for the Women in Blue in the 50-over format. Her career-best knock came against Sri Lanka in 2022, where she scored an unbeaten 71 off as many balls to help India win the game by 10 wickets.

Players	100s	50s	Highest scores
Shafali Verma	0	4	71*
Smriti Mandhana	2	6	106*

(Stats: ESPNcricinfo Statsguru)

Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana slammed two centuries and six fifties after 29 ODIs. The opening batter slammed her career-best knock, hitting an unbeaten 106 off 108 deliveries against the West Indies during the Women’s World Cup 2017. India won that game by seven wickets.

Runs in a winning cause

Shafali Verma won 16 out of her first 29 ODIs with the Women in Blue. In these games, she scored 387 runs in 16 innings at an average of 25.80, including two half-centuries.

On the contrary, Smriti Mandhana has managed to win 20 out of her 29 games with the Indian team. In these matches, she amassed 660 runs in 20 innings at an average of 34.73, including one century and five 50s.

Players	Matches	Runs	Averages	Strike rates	100s	50s
Shafali Verma	16	387	25.80	80.62	0	2
Smriti Mandhana	20	660	34.73	79.61	1	5

Overall, Mandhana has amassed 5,253 runs in 115 matches at an average of 48.63, including 14 tons and 34 half-centuries. She is no less than Virat Kohli of Indian women's cricket.

With age on her side, Shafali can serve the national team for a long time. She must take inspiration from her opening partner and resurrect her 50-over career.