The comeback story of Indian star Shafali Verma following her omission from the Women’s World Cup squad has become a major source of inspiration for fans and peers alike. Speaking at Agenda Aaj Tak, she candidly spoke about the initial heartbreak of being dropped, especially from a World Cup held on home turf, the young opener emphasized how she channeled her disappointment into disciplined self-improvement. Now, with the glory of a World Cup triumph secured (having been recalled as a replacement), Shafali is focused on the team’s next major goals.
Shafali Verma reveals resilience and hard work fuels World Cup redemption
Shafali revealed the immense emotional difficulty of being initially dropped from the Women’s World Cup squad, a setback compounded by the fact that the tournament was being hosted in India. However, instead of dwelling on the disappointment, she chose to accept the situation and dedicate herself entirely to hard work and self-improvement.
Shafali’s remarkable redemption story saw her recalled to the squad as an injury replacement, where she seized the opportunity, delivering a stunning performance in the final that earned her the Player of the Match award and contributed significantly to India’s historic title win.
Shafali opened up on her mindset shift in the face of adversity, stating:
“Getting dropped from the World Cup team, and that too with the World Cup being on home soil, was a very tough feeling for me. But after that, I accepted everything, worked hard, set aside everything else, and focused only on myself. And I think God rewarded that hard work.”
This period of adversity underscores the development of her persistence and growing big-match temperament, which culminated in a career-defining performance in the final. Her resurgence was further recognized by the ICC, which named her the Women’s Player of the Month for November 2025. This entire journey exemplifies her growth since her debut in 2019, transitioning from a raw talent to a reliable match-winner.
Shafali discloses Team India’s next big target after their World Cup win
Fresh off the victory in the ODI World Cup 2025, Shafali has immediately shifted her focus to securing more global trophies for India, prioritizing the upcoming 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for June 12 to July 5, 2026, in England and Wales she views the recent ODI triumph not as an end point, but as the beginning of a sustained period of success for the national team. Her immediate focus, however, is the upcoming five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on December 21, 2025, in Visakhapatnam, which serves as crucial preparation.
Shafali expressed her ambition for the team following the ODI World Cup triumph, making a clear vow for the future:
“This is always a dream, we will make it a habit, and we will bring even more World Cups to our home soil.”
The opener will carry momentum from her franchise experience, having been retained by Delhi Capitals for ₹2.20 crore for the upcoming WPL 2026 season (January 9 – February 5). Delhi have been runners-up in all three previous WPL seasons, and Shafali’s high-impact batting will be key to their renewed challenge. This blend of international commitment, high-stakes WPL experience, and an unshakeable resolve to bring more silverware home firmly establishes Shafali as a central figure in the new era of Indian women’s cricket.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
