Navi Mumbai, November 3, 2025 - Shafali Verma, the 21-year-old star of the Indian women's cricket team, has revealed the significant role played by Sachin Tendulkar in her sensational knock during the ICC Women's World Cup final against South Africa. Verma's 87-run innings and crucial wickets helped India secure their first-ever World Cup title with a 52-run victory.
Verma, who was named Player of the Match, expressed her gratitude and acknowledged the inspiration she drew from the presence of the cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar, in the stands. "When I saw him (Tendulkar), it gave me an incredible boost," Shafali said with a smile after India's triumph. "I kept talking to him, and he kept giving me confidence. He is the master of cricket, and we keep getting inspired just looking at him".
Drafted into the Indian squad just before the semi-finals as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, Verma turned her late call-up into a dream performance. After only scoring 10 runs in the semi-final against Australia, she made a stunning comeback, smashing a match-winning 87 against South Africa.
Verma's innings set a new record for the highest score by an Indian in a Women's World Cup final, surpassing Punam Raut's 86 from the 2017 final against England. Her 104-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana provided a strong foundation for India's innings, with the duo reaching their fifty-run partnership in just 6.3 overs.
Beyond her batting heroics, Verma also contributed with the ball, taking two crucial wickets that shifted the momentum in India's favor. She dismissed Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession, tightening India's grip on the game. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that giving Verma the ball was a "gut feeling" and a "gamble" that ultimately paid off. "I didn't want to go back to the room later thinking, 'why didn't I try?' And when I gave her that over and she got back-to-back breakthroughs, that was the turning point for us," Kaur said.
Verma's journey to the World Cup title was not without its challenges. Having fallen off the ODI radar last year, her return to the squad was a "wildcard" decision that she ultimately justified. Despite the difficulties, Verma said she never lost faith in her ability and her place in the team. "(I am) very happy that we won and I cannot express it in words," she said. "It was difficult but I had confidence in myself, that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything". She added, "I just wanted to make my team win. My mind was clear, and I worked on my plans".
Deepti Sharma, who was named Player of the Tournament, also played a crucial role in India's victory, taking five wickets and finishing as the World Cup's leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt scored a valiant century, but Sharma's intervention turned the tide in India's favor.
India's historic World Cup win marks a significant milestone for women's cricket in the country and is expected to have a profound impact on the sport's development. For Shafali Verma, the night at the DY Patil Stadium was a culmination of grit, self-belief, and inspiration from her idol, Sachin Tendulkar. As she said, "God has sent me here to do something nice, and that reflected today".
