Navi Mumbai, November 3, 2025 - In a stunning turn of events at the Women's ODI World Cup final, Shafali Verma's all-round brilliance propelled India to a historic victory over South Africa. The 21-year-old's performance, featuring a crucial 87 runs and a game-changing bowling spell, earned her the Player of the Match award and etched her name in Indian cricket history.
Verma's inclusion in the knockout stage was itself a stroke of luck, filling in for the injured Pratika Rawal. Perhaps it was fate, as Verma had said before the semi-final, "God has sent me here to do something special for the team".
India seemed well-placed after Verma's explosive innings of 87 off 78 balls helped India post a competitive 298. However, South Africa's chase gained momentum through a partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus, unsettling India's specialist bowlers. It was then that Captain Harmanpreet Kaur made a tactical masterstroke, introducing Verma into the attack in the 21st over.
Verma's bowling proved to be a revelation. With only 14 overs bowled in her entire ODI career before this match, her off-spin immediately disrupted South Africa's rhythm. On just her second delivery, she claimed the crucial wicket of Luus, breaking a threatening 52-run partnership. In her next over, she struck again, dismissing the dangerous Marizanne Kapp, further crippling the Proteas' chase.
Wolvaardt, South Africa's skipper, acknowledged the surprise factor of Verma's bowling, admitting it was "frustrating" to lose key wickets to a part-time bowler. Verma's spell wasn't just about taking wickets; it was about control, accuracy, and tactical awareness. She varied her pace, utilized flight and loop, and cleverly used the crease, showcasing a maturity beyond her age. Her bowling not only stemmed the flow of runs but also instilled confidence in the Indian attack, enabling Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav to build pressure from the other end.
Verma's wickets were pivotal, but the entire bowling unit, led by Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Deepti Sharma, maintained relentless pressure. Charani's crucial wicket of Anneke Bosch and Deepti Sharma's economical spell further solidified India's dominance.
Verma's journey to this defining moment was not without its challenges. After being dropped and doubted, her performance in the final was a testament to her resilience, hard work, and a touch of destiny. Her all-round brilliance has not only brought India its first World Cup title but is also expected to significantly boost women's cricket in the years to come.
The victory at the DY Patil Stadium was a celebration of young brilliance and fierce spirit. It was a moment where a captain's intuition, a youngster's self-belief, and a bit of divine intervention converged to create history.
