ICC Nominates Shafali Verma for Player of the Month Following Stellar World Cup Run

India batter Shafali Verma has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for November after delivering a match-winning all-round performance in the Women’s World Cup final.

Added to the squad as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal ahead of the semifinal, Verma made little impact in her first outing but rose to the occasion when India needed her most.

In the final against South Africa, the 20-year-old struck a commanding 87 off 78 balls at a strike rate of 111.53, guiding India to a competitive 298/7. She then contributed with the ball, dismissing Suné Luus and Marizanne Kapp while conceding just 36 runs in her seven overs. Her efforts proved decisive as India sealed a 52-run victory to clinch their maiden World Cup title.

Verma features on the shortlist alongside UAE’s Esha Oza and Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong. Oza enjoyed a standout month during the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, scoring 187 runs in seven T20Is at a strike rate of 137.50 and taking seven wickets at an average of 18.14. Her unbeaten 68 and two wickets in the UAE’s win over Namibia capped a Player of the Tournament performance.

Thailand left-arm spinner Putthawong was equally influential, finishing the tournament as joint-highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps. She consistently troubled batters throughout the competition and produced a decisive four-wicket spell in the final against Scotland, maintaining an economy rate of 4.25.