Shafali Verma Shortlisted for ICC Player of the Month After World Cup Heroics

India batter Shafali Verma has been shortlisted for the ICC Player of the Month award for November after her standout all-round performance in the Women’s World Cup final.

Drafted into the squad as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal ahead of the semifinal, Verma had a quiet start but produced a match-defining display when it mattered most.

In the title clash against South Africa, the 20-year-old smashed 87 off 78 balls at a strike rate of 111.53, anchoring India’s total of 298/7. She followed it up with a crucial spell of 2/36, removing Suné Luus and Marizanne Kapp to derail South Africa’s chase. Her efforts powered India to a 52-run victory and their maiden World Cup crown.

Verma joins Esha Oza of the UAE and Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong on the nomination list. Oza enjoyed a prolific run during the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, scoring 187 runs in seven T20Is at a strike rate of 137.50 and taking seven wickets at 18.14. Her unbeaten 68 and two wickets in the UAE’s win over Namibia capped a tournament in which she was named Player of the Tournament.

Thailand’s left-arm spinner Putthawong was equally impressive, finishing as joint-highest wicket-taker in the same event with 15 wickets. She delivered consistently throughout the competition and produced a decisive four-wicket spell in the final against Scotland, conceding at just 4.25 an over.