Team India opener Shafali Verma played a wonderful knock in the Women’s World Cup 2025 final against South Africa on Sunday, November 2. South Africa won the toss and chose to field first at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Shafali helped India get off to a brilliant start with an impressive performance at the crease. The 21-year-old missed out on a well-deserved century, losing her wicket after scoring 87 runs off 78 balls at an impressive strike rate of 111.54. The swashbuckling batter struck two sixes and seven fours during her stay, becoming the youngest player to hit a half-century in an ODI World Cup final.
Interestingly, Shafali was initially omitted from India’s World Cup 2025 squad. However, she was drafted into the side ahead of the semifinal as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal. The youngster made the most of her opportunity, delivering an exceptional performance in the all-important final and earning praise from all quarters for her batting exploits.
Opening alongside Smriti Mandhana, Shafali stitched together a fantastic 104-run partnership from 106 deliveries. After Mandhana departed following a 45-run knock off 58 balls, Shafali and Jemimah Rodrigues added 62 runs from as many balls for the second wicket, further solidifying India’s innings.
Shafali Verma’s impactful knock came to an end in the 28th over when Ayabonga Khaka provided South Africa with a massive breakthrough by dismissing the well-set opener. On the fifth ball of the over, Shafali attempted to play a big shot over mid-off but failed to get enough distance and was caught by Sune Luus.
The crowd at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy gave Shafali a standing ovation for her brilliant batting display. It is worth noting that she had some luck on her side during the final, receiving a big reprieve in the 21st over when Anneke Bosch dropped her catch at deep midwicket.
At the time of writing, India are 195/3 after 34 overs, with Harmanpreet Kaur (12* off 17) and Deepti Sharma (15* off 15) at the crease, looking to build on the solid foundation set by their openers.
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