The ICC Women’s World Cup always creates legends. But it all starts at the time of squad announcement, and already, we have people talking about the squad. With players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana likely to lead Team India, the omissions have opened up even more debates. Yes, we are looking at giants who have not cut for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, including the question of who will stop Shafali Verma? Let’s get into why some of the players are not part of Team India.
Shafali Verma: The Inconsistent Spark
The most jaw-dropping omission had to be Shafali Verma, once considered a batting mainstay. Once labelled as an amazing teenage star, an explosive product that could turn a game on its head with the blink of an eye, Shafali has struggled for consistency in ODIs. At just 21, she has played 29 ODIs with 644 runs at just 23, which doesn’t tell us how good she can be. It appears that the Indian selectors have decided to stake their claim on reliability over fanfare, with Pratika Rawal leading the top order and Yastika Bhatia being the backup batter. It signals a shift in India’s mindset—calm nerves under pressure now outweigh the thrill of a quick-fire cameo. For the fans, it’s a hard realisation, but it reminds us that cricket is not simply explosive talent; it can be a game within a game.
Asha Sobhana: A Leg-Spin Miss
Another name that raised eyebrows is Asha Sobhana. The young leg-spinner seemed primed for a breakout year with the national side, but suffered injuries and corporate experiences in the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL). Asha only has two ODIs to her name, including flashes of brilliance, and India opted for a pace-heavy bowling attack for the home World Cup. Sneh Rana and Sree Charani will add to the spin department, along with Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, but if the conditions call for a leg-spinner like Asha, it will be missed. Still, it isn’t exactly shocking – the selectors are understandably wary of a player that is newish to the international stage. That said, it has left fans wondering if India is missing a hidden x-factor in their spin department.
Shreyanka Patil: The Injury-Stricken Talent
The third prominent player missing from the squad is Shreyanka Patil, an exciting off-spinner who was on track to become part of India’s plans. Sadly, Patil’s year was mostly plagued by injuries that led her to miss a season in the Women’s Premier League, which limited her opportunity to gather some momentum. Unsurprisingly, it was reported that the Centre of Excellence had cleared Shreyanka, but the squad was yet to be announced, and sadly, selectors went without Shreyanka as a part of the main squad or standbys. A tough aspect of professional sport is that it’s not just about skill, fitness, timing, and balance of a team can count for a lot more.
FAQs
Q1. Who are the three big names missing from India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup squad?
Shafali Verma, Asha Sobhana, and Shreyanka Patil were left out.
Q2. Why was Shafali Verma dropped from the squad?
Her inconsistent ODI performances and low average led to her exclusion.
Q3. Did Asha Sobhana’s injury affect her selection chances?
Yes, her missed WPL season and lack of experience played a major role.
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