With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 fast approaching, the buzz around the Delhi Capitals is palpable as they aim to turn past near-misses at the title—having finished as runners-up for the last two seasons—into victory. At the heart of this ambitious campaign is young opener Shafali Verma, whose explosive performances have made her a linchpin for the Capitals. After two back-to-back final appearances, Verma is now laser-focused on seizing the championship crown.
Last season, Verma showcased her talent as she concluded the tournament with 309 runs at an impressive average of 38.62, also ranking as the third-highest run-scorer of the season. Her aggressive playstyle was palpable, especially as she led the tournament with 20 sixes, shattering records and energizing the Capitals' batting lineup. Reflecting on her experiences, Verma attributed her growth as both a player and individual to the conducive environment provided by the WPL.
“The players get to play a good number of matches in WPL. You get some very good opportunities to make small tweaks here and there in your game,” Verma expressed during the team's pre-season training camp. This sentiment rings true for many players who, like Verma, are carving their paths on the international stage through the exposure the league provides.
Verma’s meteoric rise, though, has not been without its tribulations. The young cricketer faced personal challenges recently, as she was dropped from the ODI squad last November—a decision compounded by the heart attack her father suffered just days prior. This sequence of events pushed her mental fortitude to the limit. Despite this, Verma illustrated resilience, evident through her commendable performance during the Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger Trophy, where she emerged as the leading run-scorer with 414 runs across five matches, averaging 82.80 and boasting a strike rate of 145.26, including one century and three fifties. “To be honest, the past few months have been tough for me. My father suffered a heart attack, and just a couple of days later, I was dropped from the ODI squad. So, it was a mentally difficult phase, but my father encouraged me, and my family stood by me throughout,” she stated, highlighting the importance of support systems during trying times.
Now, as her eyes are set on reclaiming her spot among the national elite, Verma drives the message home: preparation is her priority. “The only thing in my control is my preparation; if I train well and score runs, I know I can come back stronger,” she concluded, emphasizing her resolve to turn adversity to opportunity.
Training at their Pune camp, the team has created something akin to family camaraderie. Verma praised the upbeat atmosphere: “The preparations are going in full swing. The atmosphere here is really good, and everyone is gelling quite well.” The collective determination of the squad to perform at the highest level when the competition begins is evident—a promising sign as they gear up for their first match on February 15 against the Mumbai Indians.
Shafali Verma might carry the weight of personal challenges, but she also carries the aspirations of Delhi Capitals’ fans who hope to see their team dubbed champions for the first time. With Verma's unwavering spirit, combined with the depth of talent throughout the squad, the upcoming season could very well be the turning point for the franchise, ushering them to significant heights.