IND-W vs ENG-W: India Women Look to Solve Selection Puzzle Ahead of World Cup Push.
With the men’s team basking in back-to-back T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy triumphs, the spotlight now turns to the Indian women’s team, still in pursuit of their elusive maiden World Cup title. That wait could end soon, as India gears up to host the 50-over Women’s World Cup beginning September 30.
Before the tournament kicks off, India will play six ODIs—three against England starting July 16, followed by three more at home against Australia. These matches offer a crucial window to iron out selection dilemmas and build the ideal team combination.
Shafali vs Pratika: Selection Dilemma at the Top
Shafali Verma’s absence from the ODI setup since the New Zealand series last year has raised questions, especially given her explosive form in domestic cricket and the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Her T20I performances remain top-tier—she smashed 176 runs in the recent England series at a blistering strike rate of 158.55.
However, her path back into the ODI side is blocked by Pratika Rawal’s meteoric rise. The young opener has averaged 63.80 in her short ODI career and became the fastest to 500 runs in women’s ODIs—making her difficult to displace.
Yet, head coach Amol Muzumdar isn’t ruling Shafali out.
“She’s a terrific player and very much in the mix. It’s a good headache for the coaching staff to have,” he said.
With just six matches to experiment, India may look to test Shafali against Australia to assess her readiness for the longer format.
Charani Stakes Her Claim in Spin Attack
India’s spin department is led by seasoned names like Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, but left-arm spinner Shree Charani has rapidly made a case for inclusion. After a breakout WPL season and a solid ODI debut during the Sri Lanka tri-series, she continued to shine in the T20I series against England—picking up 10 wickets, including a match-defining four-wicket haul.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was quick to acknowledge her value:
“She’s a key player for us. Her WPL performance caught our eye, and she’s continued to impress.”
With Rana and Deepti expected to start, Charani may face a battle for a spot in the XI, but she’s doing everything right to stay in contention.
Fast Bowling Remains a Concern
India’s pace battery remains under the scanner in the absence of Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh. Vastrakar hasn’t played since last year’s T20 World Cup due to a knee injury, while Renuka—India’s most reliable pacer with 35 wickets in 19 ODIs—has been out since the 2025 WPL.
In their absence, India has experimented with Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare, Amanjot Kaur, and Arundhati Reddy. Though promising, none have yet matched the consistency or strike power of Vastrakar or Renuka.
With World Cup matches likely to be high-pressure affairs, especially against batting-heavy teams like Australia and England, India needs dependable pace options to support the spinners.
The Bigger Picture
India has come close before—reaching two World Cup finals—but falling just short each time. A common theme in those losses was the team’s inability to recover after early setbacks. Playing at home could provide a psychological edge, bolstered by familiar conditions and vocal support.
But lifting the trophy will require more than just momentum. It will come down to how well India addresses its remaining gaps—managing resources, backing the right combinations, and delivering under pressure.
The next six games won’t just shape a squad. They could define history.
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