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India’s young opener Shafali Verma was indeed ‘godsent’ as she claimed in the press conference before the semifinal when she replaced an injured Pratika Rawal in the side. While in the Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinal, she could not do much in the run chase against Australia, she rose up to the occasion in the final clash against South Africa. First, she scored a 78-ball 87 and then became India’s woman with golden arm, claiming two crucial wickets of experienced campaigners. After the 52-run win to clinch their maiden World Cup title, Shafali reiterated that she was sent by god to do something good
“Maine starting mein hi bola tha bhagwan ne mujhe yahan kuch accha karne ke liye bheja hai. (I said in the beginning that God has sent me to do something good)," she said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“And today that was reflected. And I am very happy that we finally won the World Cup. I can’t express it in words. It was difficult but I had confidence in myself that if I believe in myself and stay calm, I can do anything. So that belief and that calmness and my parents had a lot of support. My parents, my friend, my brother. Everyone had a lot of support. Everyone used to tell me how to play. And how important this final is for me, for the whole team. So today I was only thinking about how to make a run. The team should win," she added.
Shafali’s double strike
Shafali was the seventh bowler Harmanpreet Kaur used. In the 21st over, she was introduced into the attack when opener Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus' partnership was building. Shafali broke the partnership on the second ball he bowled. Luus got out caught and bowled. This was only the sixth time she got to bowl in ODIs. It was also her second wicket in the format. In her next over, she got the wicket of experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp as well. As Shafali struck twice, suddenly South Africa were under pressure.
Shafali, the unlikely all-rounder Harmanpreet turned to
As left-arm spinner Radha Yadav had an off day, conceding 45 runs from her five overs, Shafali's role became more crucial. Harmanpreet wanted to tighten the screws with spin. The opener bowled as many as seven overs, conceding 36 runs and claiming two wickets. It was in her seventh over that she slightly lost control of her line and length. As India won the match by a comfortable margin, she was named ‘Player of the match’ for her all-round show.
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