World Cups are always about new beginnings and clear statements. And while the 2025 Women’s World Cup at home is sure to be a blockbuster for India, the talking point isn’t just who made the squad, but who didn’t. Each tournament brings with it surprising exclusions, long-serving legends who have called it a day, and younger players who just weren’t able to hang on to their place. For Indian fans in particular, the 2025 iteration has its moments of heartfelt joy and sorrow, especially in considering the 2022 squad. From legends of the game in Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami to shocking exclusions like Shafali Verma, the “missing five” tell us so much about the development Indian women’s cricket has undergone in just three years.
Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami
Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami
Let’s be honest – it doesn’t matter how good your current team is, there is an emotional and tactical vacuum of values in moving on from legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. Mithali steadied the innings, no matter how ugly things were at the crease and how hard it was to stay afloat with the wickets. Her twilight years still saw her averaging well over 50 in an ODI, numbers the most expert batters would kill for. Jhulan was India’s strike bowler, but her presence was the pulse of the bowling unit. Her growing haul of 255 wickets comes along with the increase in her big wickets every single year.
Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma
Then there’s Shafali Verma, who has probably been talked about more than all the players named! This is the same Shafali who gave us joy in the Women’s Premier League earlier this year and then hit England for 75 in a T20I. The selectors were evidently not content with her consistency, especially in ODIs. In 2022, she managed only 107 runs over four innings, and those twin failures against Australia A only made it worse. But Shafali is not the type to lie down and accept being dropped. She is fearless, hits big like Sehwag, and can turn the game in four overs, which makes her a crowd favorite.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Pooja Vastrakar
Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Pooja Vastrakar
The other two – Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Pooja Vastrakar – are just as good at showing how unpredictable a cricket career can be. Gayakwad was a very effective left-arm spinner for India who retired after taking just under 100 wickets in 2022. Her 5/15 vs New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup will rank as one of the great performances in Indian cricket. Vastrakar’s is a far sadder story – and it hurts far more. She had an outstanding World Cup in 2022, contributing both with bat and ball, but injuries had always checked her career trajectory. Then a knee injury meant she missed the 2024 WPL, and her ODI team’s place evaporated from there. This is a stark reminder that fitness and timing can also be talents as much as players’ form are in squad selections.
FAQs
- Why is Shafali Verma not part of India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup squad?
Shafali was left out due to inconsistent ODI performances and struggles against Australia A despite strong T20 and WPL form.
- Which legendary players from 2022 are missing in the 2025 squad?
Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, both retired, are the biggest names absent.
- What happened to Pooja Vastrakar?
She missed out due to injury setbacks and has been out of India’s ODI setup since mid-2024.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz N
