Sawt Falasteen - Verma snubbed as India name Women's World Cup squad

Verma, an explosive batter who last played a one-day international for India in October 2024, has scored just one half-century in six innings for India A.

Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the 15-member squad for the 13th edition of the women's showpiece tournament, which begins on September 30.

Co-hosts India are set to face Sri Lanka in the opener in Bengaluru.

The Indian women are looking to claim their first World Cup title after making it to two previous finals.

They were beaten by England by nine runs in a thrilling finale at Lord's in 2017.

Women's team chief selector Neetu David said the door had not been shut completely on 21-year-old Verma, who has played 29 ODIs since her debut in 2019.

"She's in the system, (it's) not like she's not," David said.

"We've got our eyes on her. Hope she plays a lot more and garners experience, it'll help serve India in the 50-overs format."

The selectors also announced the return of medium-pace bowler Renuka Thakur after a long injury lay-off.

"We didn't want to make a lot of changes, we wanted continuity," said Harmanpreet, who will be leading India in the World Cup for the first time.

India are set to host Australia in three ODI matches before heading into the World Cup.

India's World Cup squad:

Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Goud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Sneh Rana.

Y.Shaath--SF-PST