Dope test no-shows put Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shafali Verma in spotlight: Sources

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shafali Verma have received their first “missed test” notices from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

after allegedly failing to be available for scheduled out-of-competition dope tests at their declared locations. The notices were issued under NADA’s whereabouts failure regulations, which apply to athletes included in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP). Under these rules, players must provide a specific time slot and location where they can be located for surprise anti-doping tests conducted outside competition.

Sources said a Doping Control Officer (DCO) attempted to test Jaiswal on December 17 last year, while Shafali’s scheduled test was on November 7. However, both players were reportedly unavailable at the addresses they had submitted.

NADA later sought explanations from the two cricketers in February, but no responses were received within the stipulated period, leading to the registration of their first missed tests. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also been informed about the development.

A single missed test does not amount to an anti-doping rule violation. However, under the World Anti-Doping Agency framework, three whereabouts failures — including missed tests or filing failures — within a 12-month period can lead to disciplinary action and a suspension of up to two years if the athlete fails to successfully defend the case before NADA’s hearing panel.

The development comes at a key stage for both players. Jaiswal is currently representing Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League season, while Shafali remains part of India’s plans ahead of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales starting June 12.

The case also brings back memories of Prithvi Shaw’s 2019 doping suspension, when the former India opener was handed an eight-month backdated ban after testing positive for Terbutaline, a prohibited substance found in cough syrup.

At present, neither Jaiswal nor Shafali faces a formal anti-doping violation, but the notices act as an official warning under NADA’s compliance system.