Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh have been picked in India’s Under-19 World Cup squad only after the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed their eligibility. The selection panel, it is learnt, wanted to be sure about the eligibility of both players since the two have already represented India at the senior international level.

The communication between the Neetu David-led selection panel and the ICC was done through the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the two players were selected for the maiden edition of the Under-19 World Cup after a green signal from the world body.

Shafali, at 18, is already a veteran of sorts having played 69 international games (two Women’s Tests, 21 WODIs and 46 WT20Is). Richa, on the other hand, has played 42 international games, (17 WODIs and 25 WT20Is). Both also qualified age wise, although Richa is already 19. Shafali, in fact, has been named skipper.

The ICC, it is learnt, has clarified that any player born on or before September 1, 2003, is eligible for playing in the Women’s Under 19 World Cup, to be held in South Africa. Richa has escaped the cut-off date by 28 days as she was born on September 28, 2003. Shafali’s birthdate is January 28, 2004 and she will be well below 19 when the World Cup would be underway.

Further, the national selectors have felt that the selection of the two will be a big boost for the senior team as the Women’s T20 World Cup will also be held in South Africa immediately after the Under 19 World Cup, which is from January 14 to 29. India are placed in Group D alongside South Africa, UAE and Scotland. The top three teams from each group will progress to the Super Six round, where teams will be pooled into two groups of six. The Women’s T20 World Cup is from February 10 to 26.

Selectors to submit 200 names for WIPL

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the selectors will be submitting over 200 names of players who can be considered for the Women’s IPL, to be held sometime in March. As previously reported by Cricbuzz, the BCCI, after a recent Governing Council meeting, asked the selectors to create a pool of players for the WIPL.

Cricbuzz has learnt that the list with over 160-170 Indian players and about 30-40 foreign players, will be submitted to the BCCI in a couple of days. The five-team league would be requiring a window of 15 days and it is likely to be held from March 7 to 22.

Before confirming the dates though, the BCCI will be conducting an auction for the media rights followed by another auction for the franchises.