Shafali Verma's journey to the pinnacle of cricket has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. From being dropped from the national squad to becoming a World Cup Final star, her story is a testament to resilience and seizing opportunities.
Verma's career began with a bang, debuting in T20Is at the tender age of 15 and quickly becoming the youngest Indian to achieve an international half-century. By early 2020, she had ascended to the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, showcasing her aggressive batting style. However, her ODI form dipped in 2024-25, leading to her exclusion from the World Cup squad in August 2025. Selectors prioritized consistency, pairing Smriti Mandhana with Pratika Rawal, whose strong domestic and international performances made her a natural fit.
Fate, however, had other plans. An unfortunate ankle injury to Rawal during a league stage match against Bangladesh opened an unexpected door for Verma. Recalled for the semi-final against Australia, Verma's comeback was highly anticipated. Although she scored only 10 runs in that match, the team management kept faith in her potential.
In the World Cup Final against South Africa, Verma seized her chance. After a rain delay, South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl, India was put in to bat first. Verma, along with Smriti Mandhana, forged a formidable opening partnership of 104 runs. Verma reached her half-century in 49 balls, marking her first ODI fifty in three years. She went on to score a career-best 87 off 78 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, providing India with a strong foundation. During her innings, she survived a dropped catch on 56, adding to the drama of her return.
Verma's innings wasn't just about personal redemption; it was a record-breaking performance. At 21 years and 278 days, she became the youngest player to score a fifty in a Women's ODI World Cup final. Her score of 87 is now the highest individual score by an Indian opening batter in a World Cup final, surpassing Punam Raut's 86 in the 2017 final and Virender Sehwag's 82 in the 2003 Men's World Cup final.
Fans and experts lauded Verma's "wildcard entry" and her ability to deliver on the biggest stage. Social media buzzed with praise for her explosive innings and her partnership with Mandhana. Although she missed out on a century, her contribution was pivotal in India reaching a competitive total of 298/7. Deepti Sharma also contributed with a half-century.
Shafali Verma's journey from being dropped to shining in the World Cup Final exemplifies the unpredictable nature of sports and the power of perseverance. Her innings not only solidified India's position in the final but also etched her name in cricket history. It also marked her fifth half-century in WODIs, with the last one being in July 2022. As India chases its first Women's World Cup title, Verma's story serves as an inspiration.
