India’s Shafali Verma, the 21-year-old opening batter, has been named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November 2025, edging out Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong and UAE’s Esha Oza.
Her award comes on the heels of a match-winning all-round display in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final, where India clinched their maiden senior-level ICC title by defeating South Africa by 52 runs at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Drafted in as a late replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, Verma’s heroics not only powered skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s side to glory but also marked a stunning resurgence for the young star.
Verma, thrust into the squad as a late replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, delivered a World Cup final masterclass. She smashed a fluent 87 off 78 balls, the highest score by an Indian opener in a World Cup final, forming a record 104-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana to propel India to 298/7. Her aggression set the tone early, blending power with precision at a strike rate that echoed her tournament haul of 97 runs across two innings at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 116.86.
But Verma’s impact didn’t end with the bat. She struck twice in successive overs, dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp to shatter South Africa’s chase, finishing with impressive figures of 2/36 from seven overs, with the ball. This all-round brilliance earned her the Player of the Match award, sealing India’s victory and making them only the fourth team to claim the ODI World Cup crown. South Africa’s Wolvaardt had been October’s Player of the Month, but Verma’s November fireworks proved unstoppable.
Reflecting on her journey, Verma said, “My first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup experience didn’t go as I expected, but it ended far better than I could have ever wished or imagined. I’m grateful that I could contribute to the team’s success in the Final and that I was able to be a part of making history in winning the World Cup for the first time, and in front of a home crowd.
“I’m truly honoured to be named the Women’s Player of the Month for November. I dedicate this award to my teammates, coaches, family and everyone who has supported my journey until now. We win and lose as a team; the same goes for this award.”
Verma’s award caps a remarkable turnaround. Dropped from the ODI squad earlier, she rebuilt form in domestic cricket before her timely recall. Her big-match temperament now cements her as India’s opener for the future.
Looking ahead, Verma eyes the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, retained by Delhi Capitals for ₹2.20 crore. The fourth edition runs from January 9 to February 5, with the first phase at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, and the second at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. Delhi have been runners-up in all three prior seasons despite topping the table each time, Mumbai Indians won in 2023 and 2025 under Harmanpreet Kaur, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed in 2024 led by Smriti Mandhana.
India’s momentum builds with a five-match T20I series against Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka from December 21-30, ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026. Verma’s form promises fireworks in the upcoming season.
(Quote sourced from ICC Press Release)
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