Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has delivered a powerful message to Shafali Verma ahead of India's high-stakes Women's ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia, urging the explosive opener to seize her unexpected opportunity with a fearless mindset rather than succumb to the weight of expectation. Speaking at a JioStar Media Day on the eve of Thursday's knockout clash at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Bishop emphasized that Shafali must view her sudden call-up not as a burden but as a chance to make history.

An Unexpected Lifeline

Shafali's journey back to the India squad reads like a dramatic screenplay. Originally not even included in the 15-member World Cup squad or the reserves, the 21-year-old received an emergency call-up after in-form opener Pratika Rawal was ruled out with ankle and knee injuries sustained during India's rain-affected final group match against Bangladesh.

Pratika's absence is a massive blow to India's campaign. The 25-year-old had been sensational throughout the tournament, amassing 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33, including a match-winning century against New Zealand that kept India's semi-final hopes alive. Her opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana had been one of the pillars of India's batting, with the duo registering seven century stands in just 23 innings—matching legendary partnerships like Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley.

Bishop's Message: Embrace the Moment Bishop, who has seen countless pressure situations unfold in his illustrious playing and commentary career, offered both practical and psychological advice for Shafali as she prepares for potentially the biggest match of her career.

"That won't be easy. Look, again, it comes down to hoping that she's been working on her game. Obviously, her run of form in recent times internationally hasn't been great. However, it is a one-off game, and she has to come in with this mindset—I've been given an opportunity here that I probably didn't think would happen, or I could not predict it into a semi-final, which, apart from the final, is going to be the highest pressure or the highest expectation in the World Cup," Bishop explained.

"She can't afford to think about pressure, though. She has to come in with this mindset: I got this opportunity to make a difference, to make a difference for this team and perhaps for this country. I'll try to remain as relaxed as possible, but I'm going to make a difference and fill the void adequately. So that's the mindset, and the execution, of course, has to be built up in her practice sessions leading into this game."

Form and Redemption

While Shafali hasn't played an ODI in nearly a year—her last international 50-over match came in October 2024—her recent domestic form has been nothing short of explosive. She topped the run charts in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy with 527 runs at an average of 75.29 and a blistering strike rate of 152.31, including a jaw-dropping 197 off 115 balls against Bengal.

In the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, she continued her domination with 341 runs in seven innings at an average of 56.83 and a strike rate of 182.35. Most recently, she scored a quickfire 70 off 49 balls for India A against New Zealand A in a World Cup warm-up match in Bengaluru, showing she's in prime touch.

However, Bishop acknowledged that stepping straight into a World Cup semi-final after months away from international cricket presents unique challenges, particularly against an Australian side that boasts the most disciplined bowling attack in women's cricket.

The Australia Factor

Shafali's record against Australia is modest—she has just one half-century against them—and Bishop pointed out that India's team management faces a difficult decision: do they gamble on Shafali's raw talent and recent domestic form, or do they opt for a more conservative approach?

"Whether they go with Shafali, whose record against Australia isn't outstanding—I think she has one half-century—but she's been playing some T20 cricket. Do they bank on the fact that she's been scoring runs in that T20 tournament recently? That's a decision that the team will have to make," Bishop said.

He also stressed that India cannot afford to let Pratika's absence become a psychological setback.

"So, look, I don't think it's an easy thing, but you cannot dwell on the fact that Pratika is not there and let that be a downer on the team. Next player up, come in and make an impact, because this is a World Cup semi-final and it's all on the line. It's something that the Australians do very well—if Alyssa Healy is injured, Georgia Voll comes in. Someone steps into that void with a great deal of confidence given to them by the backroom staff."

Tactical Options

Bishop also floated an intriguing tactical suggestion: promoting Harleen Deol to open alongside Smriti Mandhana, which would allow India to field an extra bowler—a move he believes is crucial against Australia's formidable batting lineup on a red-soil Navi Mumbai pitch.

"I believe I would like for India to have that extra bowling depth and allow the batters to take responsibility, whoever that combination is. With the bowling and batting depth of Australia, I would want to have that extra bowling combination," Bishop said.

"That was one of the things that I was playing around in my mind—Harleen going up to the top. She likes pace on the ball. It will give her a chance, an opportunity to be fluent within that powerplay and play that extra bowler. That's a way to accommodate the extra bowler and allow Harmanpreet to have options."

Shafali's Response

For her part, Shafali has embraced the challenge with maturity and optimism. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, she said: "If God has sent me here, I'll try to play my best game with the best intent, if I play, and try to do what the team needs, do what I do best, and keep it simple. I'll try and keep telling myself little things like 'stay calm' and 'believe in yourself.'"

With a packed DY Patil Stadium expected and millions watching across the country, Shafali Verma has a chance to script one of the great redemption stories in Indian women's cricket. As Ian Bishop put it: she must embrace the opportunity, not the pressure.