India performed 5 batters, 4 bowlers and a couple of all-rounders in opposition to Australia. Will they alter their profitable mixture for the ultimate?
Throughout the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, India have tinkered with their XI. Even in the semifinal against Australia, the hosts had made a few changes. One of them was forced, as Shafali Verma replaced Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
But other than that, India dropped Harleen Deol, who had played every match until then. Both Radha Yadav and Shree Charani played. It wasn’t what was expected, considering how the Indian management had worked until then, but the changes worked.
Shafali Verma continues
Therefore, one has to wonder if India will make any changes to their playing XI for the Women’s ODI World Cup Final against South Africa on November 2. According to former Indian captain Anjum Chopra, there won’t be much chopping and changing.
“No, if everyone is fit, whoever played will continue to hold their place in the team,” Anjum told InsideSport in an exclusive conversation.
Although Shafali didn’t do well in the semifinal, getting out for a quickfire 10 (5). But one wonders how she can be judged for playing her first ODI in nearly a year, and that too, a knockout match in an ICC event. It seems unlikely that she’ll be dropped for Harleen or Uma Chetry.
Sneh Rana to return?
South Africa has lost the most wickets to spin bowling in the entire tournament, prior to the final. Fascinatingly, the Proteas didn’t play any left-handed batters against England in the first semifinal. This works perfectly for India, who played Radha and Charani, two left-arm orthodox spinners, against Australia.
Anjum agrees to this. Most teams don’t play two left-arm spinners, but she finds no issues with both of them playing together, especially considering how right-handed heavy South Africa are. “If two off-spinners can play, then two left-arm spinners can play as well,” she added.
Kranti Goud out, Arundhati Reddy in?
Kranti Goud had a poor outing against Australia. She bowled just 6 bowlers and went for 58 runs, 9.70 runs per over. Although she got Alyssa Healy‘s wicket, she was all over the place in the powerplay and bowled just one over from 11 to 50 overs.
But Anjum doesn’t think India will leave her out. Since India has just 3 frontline pacers, they can’t change much. Moreover, Arundhati Reddy hasn’t played a game in the Women’s ODI World Cup, and bringing her in for the final doesn’t feel right.
“There are no options (players) sitting outside. So, you have to play Kranti and Renuka. Amanjot is an all-rounder. The only other option is Arundhati. But you wouldn’t want to get her into the mix now since she hasn’t played in the tournament,” Anjum concluded.
Predicted India Playing XI for Women’s ODI World Cup final
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
Bench: Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Harleen Doel, Uma Chetry
Editor’s Pick
High Tales
