Shafali Verma Makes A Strong Comeback With Hat-Trick

Shafali Verma, the talented young opening batsman, showcased her remarkable bowling skills by clinching a hat-trick for Haryana against Karnataka during the Under-23 Women One-Day Trophy 2024-25 on March 17, 2025. This performance came just days after her team, the Delhi Capitals (DC), lost the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 final to the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Following her exclusion from the Indian women's team after a lackluster performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 held in the UAE, Verma, 21, aimed to make her mark again on the field. Replaced by Pratika Rawal as Smriti Mandhana’s opening partner, Verma stepped up her game for Haryana with impactful bowling.

During the pre-quarterfinal match against Karnataka, Verma's bowling turned the flow of the game. At one point, Karnataka seemed to be on track for a strong finish at 188 for 4, with over six overs remaining. Despite this, Verma struck on the fifth ball of the 44th over, taking out Saloni P, and followed it up by claiming another wicket off the last ball of the same over, dismissing Soumya Verma. Not one to stop there, she secured her hat-trick on the very first ball of the 46th over, bowling Namita D'Souza for low score. Verma’s precision and wicket-to-wicket bowling were instrumental for Haryana, who bowled out Karnataka for 217 runs after 49.3 overs.

Even with her standout bowling performance, Verma could not replicate her success at the bat, managing only 18 runs off 12 balls before being dismissed by Namita. Although she hit four boundaries, her early exit put some pressure on the Haryana side. Nonetheless, the early loss of key batsmen, including her partner Reema Sisodia, didn’t deter the team, as deep batting allowed Haryana to chase the target with six wickets remaining and eight balls to spare.

The match’s final score witnessed Sonia Mendhiya leading the recovery with her knock of 66 runs off 79 balls, alongside Tanisha Ohlan, who contributed with 77 not out from 77 balls. Their solid partnership enabled Haryana to overcome the initial pressure and secure victory, advancing them to face Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-finals on March 20, 2025.

Interestingly, during the WPL, Verma had shined brightly as the top run-scorer for DC, amassing 304 runs from nine innings at an average of 38 and with an impressive strike rate of 152.76. Unfortunately, her performance dipped during the WPL final where she was trapped LBW for single digit runs by South African pacer Shabnim Ismail.

Verma’s current performance at the U23 level indicates her determination to regain her spot on the international stage. With 48 overs bowled across her international career, she has achieved one wicket each across formats; one wicket in Tests, one ODI, and 10 T20Is at an average of 18.50 and economy rate of 5.96 runs per over. Her growth as both a batsman and bowler continues to be monitored closely by selectors and fans alike.

The importance of her hat-trick against Karnataka cannot be overstated. It not only changes the course of the match but also reflects her potential as she directs her efforts at making a comeback following her recent setbacks. Shafali’s stunning display of skill under pressure demonstrates her resilience and commitment, key traits needed for her future endeavors.

Meanwhile, the results from other matches on the same day also painted the competition as fierce and thrilling. Uttarakhand triumphed over Punjab, setting up quarter-final clash against Mumbai, indicating the rising stakes as teams vie for supremacy. On the other hand, Delhi is poised to take on Baroda, and Uttar Pradesh will face Rajasthan, showcasing the engaging contests left to captivate fans of women’s cricket.

Shafali Verma’s performance has invigorated excitement and hope for Haryana’s future matches, marking her as one of the players to watch as they navigate the knockout rounds of the U23 Women’s tournament. All eyes will be on her as she strives to balance her batting and bowling skills effectively, with aspirations of returning to the national side on the horizon.