India’s captain Smriti Mandhana reaffirmed faith in opener Shafali Verma, who was left out of the three-match ODI series against Ireland. Speaking on Thursday, Mandhana emphasized that Shafali remains a crucial part of India’s future despite her recent omission from the squad.
“Shafali hasn’t been part of the last few ODI series, but she’s definitely in the scheme of things,” Mandhana said. “She’s gone back to domestic cricket and performed exceptionally well, which is great to see.”
The 19-year-old prodigy has been in red-hot form, topping the charts in the senior women’s one-day trophy with 527 runs in seven innings, averaging 75.28 and striking at an incredible 152.31. Her domestic dominance makes her a strong contender for a comeback to the national side.
Mandhana also praised the current squad’s balance and depth. “As a team, we’re focused on the players we have. The new faces in the squad are talented and ready to deliver. We need to maintain a positive mindset and not dwell on what’s missing,” she added.
While Shafali’s absence raises questions, her domestic heroics and Mandhana’s vote of confidence suggest she’s far from being out of the picture for India’s ODI plans.
