With underwhelming scores from the India women’s top order in the ODI series against New Zealand, a spotlight is shining on opener Shafali Verma. Despite flashes of brilliance, Verma has struggled with consistency, particularly in home conditions, and as the next ODI World Cup looms, her place in the team is being questioned.
Smriti Mandhana comeback highlights contrast
Smriti Mandhana, India’s premier opener, found her stride in the series decider with a flawless 100 off 122 balls, guiding India to a six-wicket victory and sealing the ODI series 2-1 vs New Zealand. Mandhana’s disciplined approach and controlled strokes provided the foundation for the successful chase, allowing her partner Harmanpreet Kaur to bring the game home with an unbeaten 59.
This match-winning knock also marked a milestone for Mandhana, as she overtook Mithali Raj’s record, becoming the Indian woman with the most ODI centuries.
Reflecting on her approach, Mandhana said: “Today it was more about controlling my shots. There were a few balls in the first 6-7 overs which were generally my boundary balls, but I had to be a little hard on myself and tell myself to let them go, wait for the first 10 overs to finish, and then take the game forward.”
Shafali Verma lean streak raises concerns
While Smriti Mandhana has solidified her spot, Shafali Verma has struggled to make an impact. It’s been over a year since she last scored a half-century in ODIs, with her most recent 50-plus score dating back to July 2022. Verma’s quick dismissals, including a disappointing departure in this final ODI match, highlight a recurring issue of inconsistency.
Despite her young age, the 20-year-old has been part of the Indian team for several years. However, her ODI stats reflect a struggle to adapt: in 29 innings, she averages just 23.00 with a strike rate of 83.20 and has only surpassed 50 balls five times.
Her numbers on home soil further underline the challenges, as she has managed just 109 runs in 7 innings at an average of 15.57 and a strike rate of 80.14.
Time for a Strategic Decision
With the next ODI World Cup being hosted in India, the team’s management faces a dilemma regarding Shafali Verma’s future in the squad. Despite her early promise, the lack of substantial innings raises doubts about her reliability at the top order. If Verma can’t find a way to establish consistency, India may need to look for other options to strengthen their line-up ahead of this pivotal tournament.
As India celebrates Mandhana’s century and prepares for future competitions, the team has a crucial decision to make regarding Shafali Verma’s role, balancing her potential against the need for stable, reliable openers. The countdown to the World Cup has begun, and for Verma, it’s time to step up or risk being left behind.
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