Shafali Verma Seeks Redemption in England: Can Third Tour Spark ODI Comeback Ahead of World Cup?

Shafali Verma: A Third Chance at English Glory?

This tour marks Shafali Verma's third visit to England, but much has evolved since her previous appearances. Notably, she is no longer a teenager.

During her initial England tour in 2021 for the multi-format series, Shafali was primarily recognized as a T20I cricketer, making her debut in both ODIs and Test cricket during that trip. Around the time of the England tour in 2022, encompassing the Commonwealth Games and the bilateral series, India valued her high-impact innings, despite some inconsistency. This approach presented a risk-versus-reward scenario that proved beneficial for both India and Shafali.

As of mid-2025, Shafali has recently regained her place in the T20I squad, but remains out of favor in ODIs during a home World Cup year. Following India's elimination in the league stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, Shafali's position in the team appeared precarious. Despite the scarcity of Indian batters capable of launching an aggressive attack from the outset, a skill possessed by few globally, she faced exclusion.

Her exclusion inadvertently allowed Shafali to participate fully in the 50-over domestic competitions. She led Haryana to a quarter-final finish in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy, topping the run-scoring charts with 527 runs at an average exceeding 75 and a strike rate of 152.31. Only Kiran Navgire recorded a higher strike rate, but managed only 116 runs.

Shafali continued her strong performance in the Senior Women's One Day Challenger Trophy, where national selectors scouted top performers. As captain of Team A, she again topped the charts with 414 runs at an average of 82.80 and a strike rate of 145.26, nearly 200 runs ahead of the next best, and maintaining the highest scoring pace in the competition.

In the WPL 2025, Shafali emerged as the leading run-scorer for the Delhi Capitals (DC), who finished as runners-up, and ranked fourth overall. This performance made her inclusion in India's T20I side unavoidable. The fact that India had only played one T20I series since her exclusion was inconsequential; they have their premier opener back as the road to the 2026 T20 World Cup starts.

So, what transformations has Shafali's game undergone during this period? How has she achieved such consistent scoring, a feat that eluded her previously?

"She has focused on maintaining composure," DC assistant coach Hemlata Kala explained to ESPNcricinfo. "During the WPL, she aimed to bat longer innings and avoid getting dismissed within the powerplay."

"Everyone commented that she typically bats for only 10-15 overs [in one-day cricket]. However, she batted for extended periods in [the domestic] one-dayers, scoring consecutive hundreds. Even in multi-day matches (Senior Women's Multi-Day Challenger Trophy) she performed well. She has now consistently started playing longer innings. It’s not that she hasn't done it before - she has hit 130-140 in Under-23 cricket. She possesses the capability, but in T20s, she aims to maximize the powerplay."

Kala, a former India international, served as the chief selector when a 15-year-old Shafali made her international debut. Besides her involvement with DC, Kala also contributed to the coaching staff for teams in the one-day and multi-day Challenger Trophy and witnessed firsthand the impact Shafali could have as an opposition player.

"I consistently remind her that no one possesses her mindset - the ability to hit sixes from the first ball," Kala stated. "Whenever I speak with her, I urge her to 'not abandon your game'. Her power game is innate; no one else in women's cricket hits sixes at will like she does. I advised her to retain the qualities that brought her here. She is a unique cricketer, and my initial selection of her was based on that."

Kala consciously emphasized the significance of rotating the strike and avoiding stagnation while aiming for big hits. She has worked on finding gaps when the field spreads.

"As you are aware, my starts are often good, but constructing an innings has been a challenge," Shafali remarked earlier this year. "But now, I am concentrating on securing those singles, building the innings, and contributing effectively to the team."

This adjustment was apparent in the WPL, where she displayed less urgency in forcefully dispatching deliveries. She exhibited restraint, even during the powerplay, yet without significantly affecting her overall strike rate (152.76 in 2025 compared to 156.85 in 2024).

The five-match T20I series in England could pave the way for Shafali's return to the ODI side. Following the three games in England, India will have one more series before the World Cup - a three-ODI series against Australia at home. Whether Shafali secures a spot and the implications for other top-order batters, such as Pratika Rawal (the ODI opener) and Harleen Deol (No. 3), remain uncertain.

Indeed, this third opportunity might prove to be Shafali's lucky break.