Shafali Verma, the 21-year-old Indian opener, has etched her name in cricketing history with a stellar performance in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup final. Her journey to this defining moment has been anything but conventional, marked by setbacks, perseverance, and a late entry into the squad as an injury replacement.
Verma's explosive innings of 87 runs off 78 balls against South Africa not only set a strong foundation for India's innings but also broke records. She surpassed Punam Raut's previous record to achieve the highest individual score by an Indian opener in a World Cup final. Moreover, at 21 years and 278 days, she became the youngest player ever to score a fifty in a Women's ODI World Cup final, outshining Virender Sehwag's previous record.
Her performance wasn't limited to batting; Verma also showcased her all-round capabilities by picking up two crucial wickets, dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp. This unexpected bowling spell sent waves of excitement through the stadium and significantly boosted India's position in the match.
Verma's journey to the World Cup final was fraught with challenges. Just months before the squad selection, she faced personal and professional setbacks. After a string of low scores, she was dropped from the Indian squad for the Australia tour. Simultaneously, her father's health was deteriorating. Sanjeev Verma, a cricket enthusiast who played a significant role in her cricketing success, had suffered a heart attack. Shafali initially hid the news of being dropped from her father.
Despite these hardships, Verma's father remained her pillar of strength. He encouraged her to return to the basics that had made her the youngest T20 International debutant for India at 15. This period of self-reflection proved to be a turning point in her career.
Prior to her World Cup call-up, Verma had been showcasing her talent in domestic cricket, amassing over 900 runs across different formats, including multiple centuries. She was also leading Haryana in the Senior National Women's T20 tournament, where she was the top run-getter in the Senior Women's T20 League, scoring 341 runs at a strike rate of 182.35.
However, destiny had other plans. Pratika Rawal, who had initially secured her place as the opener, suffered an unfortunate ankle injury during a league match against Bangladesh. This opened the door for Verma's return to the squad. After a brief stint in the semi-final against Australia, where she scored 10 runs, doubts lingered about her ability to perform in big games.
In the final, Verma silenced her critics with a responsible and sensible knock. Instead of relying solely on her aggressive style, she played more shots along the ground, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. She followed a similar template for most of her innings, emphasizinggrounded shots and avoiding rash swings. She also had a stroke of luck when Anneke Bosch dropped a catch, giving Verma a life on 56.
Verma's stellar performance in the World Cup final has brought immense pride to her native district, Rohtak. Her father, along with other family members, watched the live telecast of the match at the local cricket academy where she honed her skills. He said he spoke to Shafali before the final to boost her morale and share some advice. "Before the final, Shafali was a little nervous as she couldn't score much in the previous match. I told her to play her natural game and spend as much time as possible at the crease," Verma's father told The Tribune.
Shafali Verma's journey from being dropped from the squad to becoming a World Cup final star is a testament to her resilience, determination, and the unwavering support of her family. Her performance on the biggest stage has not only solidified her place in cricketing history but has also inspired countless young girls to dream big.
