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'My Father Had A Heart Attack': Shafali Verma Opens Up About Team India Omission 

Rajgeeta Yadav

Shafali Verma opens up [Source: @imfemalecricket/X.com]Shafali Verma opens up [Source: @imfemalecricket/X.com]

Indian women’s cricket star Shafali Verma recently opened up about the emotional turmoil she experienced after being dropped from the Indian team for the tour of Australia in November. Her revelations have given fans a glimpse into the tough period she went through, both professionally and personally.

The exclusion from the squad came at a particularly challenging time for Shafali. Just two days before the announcement, her father, Sanjeev Verma, suffered a heart attack. Shafali, who is very close to her father, kept the news of her omission hidden from him to avoid affecting his recovery.

Shafali shared her story with the Indian Express, admitting that it was one of the hardest phases of her life. 

“It’s not easy to get over it. I didn’t want to reveal it because my father had a heart attack about two days before I got dropped from the team. I hid the news from him till he got better. He was in the hospital. I told him a week later,” she said.

When Sanjeev Verma finally learned about his daughter’s exclusion, his response wasn’t to rest or dwell on the bad news. Instead, he immediately started taking Shafali for practice sessions. 

“Father knows everything. Sometimes, as kids, we forget our strengths, but they don’t forget. He reminded me of the workouts and drills from my childhood and helped me to do the same,” Shafali recalled. 

Shafali Verma Shines Bright in Domestic Cricket

The hard work Shafali put in with her father’s guidance has paid off. Since being dropped from the national team, she has delivered stellar performances in domestic cricket. Representing Haryana, she scored 527 runs at an impressive average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31. Her performance sent a strong message to the selectors, proving that she is still one of India’s top batters.