Navi Mumbai: Should Shafali Verma choose to get a tattoo that says “God’s Plan,” it would certainly be fitting. The talented player returned to the Indian women’s ODI team under unfortunate circumstances but made a significant impact during the team’s successful World Cup run, embodying the idea that fate can operate in unexpected ways. On a rainy afternoon in August in Mumbai, Neetu David, the former chairperson of selectors, had informed the media that Shafali would have her opportunity to represent India, despite confirming the 21-year-old’s exclusion from the World Cup squad, where she had participated in five matches across formats.
Shafali wasted no time and engaged in two one-hour batting sessions at DY Patil Stadium and its University Ground in preparation for the semifinal. “What happened with Pratika was unfortunate as a sportsperson. No one wishes injury upon anyone. But God has brought me here to achieve something positive,” Shafali expressed to the media before the semifinal.