'Could not have asked for more...': Amol Muzumdar hails Shafali Verma for 'magical' all-round performance in Women's WC final

India batter Shafali Verma proved to be the side's top performer in the final of the 2025 Women's World Cup against South Africa. The 21-year-old, who had been added to India's squad as a replacement for Pratika Rawal ahead of the semi-final against Australia, contributed in both the batting and bowling departments in the penultimate game of the mega-tournament. Not only did she play a fabulous inning of 87 runs, but also picked up the key wickets of Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp.

Following India's 52-run victory in the final, head coach Amol Muzumdar showered praise on Shafali and labelled her performance as "magical".

ALSO READ: Women's World Cup: BCCI announces record-breaking cash prize for Indian team after victory over South Africa in final

"Magical. Turns up in the semi final. In the final, packed ground, turns up with a magical innings, and then with the ball. That was one thing we spoke a lot about in the dressing room. Fielding and fitness was something we spoke about. They just turned it up on this day in the World Cup final - I could not have asked for more. The ripple effects will be felt for generations," Muzumdar said after the victory over South Africa.

Muzumdar's views on the remarkable triumph

Sharing his thoughts on the win, Muzumdar highlighted how the team worked incredibly hard throughout the tournament and remarked that they have made every Indian proud. He further stated that this victory will be remembered by generations to come and will also have a massive impact on Indian cricket.

"Absolutely proud. I don't know, it has not yet sunk in. Unbelievable achievement and they deserve every credit and everything that will follow from here. They have worked terribly hard. They have done every Indian proud," Muzumdar stated.

"We did not look at those losses as losses, we looked at them as matches we couldn't get over the line. We dominated majority of those games, and just thought there were some hiccups. We stayed alive in the tournament and here we are, as world champions. I know for a fact that they have worked extremely hard for this, and it is a watershed moment for Indian cricket," he added.

India script history

Meanwhile, India became just the fourth team in history to win the Women's World Cup following their victory over South Africa in the final on Sunday. It was a terrific all-round display from the hosts in the penultimate game as they first handed the Proteas a formidable target of 299 before bundling them out for 246 to win the match by 52 runs. While Shafali was adjudged as the Player of the Match, Deepti Sharma was named the Player of the Series for her sensational all-round performance throughout the tournament.