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Shafali Verma led India to its first-ever Women’s World Cup win over South Africa with an 87-run knock and two wickets, marking a historic moment in Indian cricket.
Shafali Verma celebrates in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final.
(PC: AP)
The Indian women’s cricket team made history by winning its first-ever World Cup with a 52-run victory over South Africa, marking a golden chapter in the country’s sporting achievements on Sunday.
Shafali Verma, the 21-year-old who was not even in the reserves until last week, created lifelong memories by scoring 87 in India’s total of 298 for 7. She then took two crucial wickets to restrict the Proteas Women to 246.
“As a player its tough when you are not in the team, its not a simple thing you need to keep your belief,” Shafali Verma exclusively told CNN News18.
Once left out of India’s World Cup squad, the 21-year-old opener made a dramatic return and became a key figure in India’s title-winning campaign.
Back in August, on a rainy afternoon in Mumbai, former selection committee chair Neetu David explained to reporters that Shafali would get her chance again someday, after confirming her omission from the squad. At the time, her form was inconsistent, and rising star Pratika Rawal had made a strong case at the top of the order.
But fate intervened just before the semifinal. Pratika suffered an untimely injury, and India urgently recalled Shafali from domestic duty in Surat, where she was representing Haryana in the Senior Women’s T20 tournament. Within hours, she joined the national team in Mumbai and dived straight into two intense batting sessions at the DY Patil Stadium and the university ground.
“But maybe God sent me here to do something good,” Shafali had told the media ahead of the semifinal.
Though her return against Australia was brief — just 10 runs off five balls — the final was where she truly announced her comeback. Her composed yet explosive 87 anchored India’s innings, mixing breathtaking strokeplay with mature shot selection. That knock laid the foundation for India’s total of 298 for 7 — a score that proved enough to secure World Cup glory.
“I was sad in the semis. When I went to bat I executed my plans and scored for the team. I worked upon myself and everyone helped me. Teammates, coach and captain showed their belief in me,” Shafali Verma told CNN News18 exclusively.
Few knew that Shafali, known mainly for her batting, would also bowl in the final — only the sixth time she bowled in 30 ODIs.
When asked about her bowling, she said: “While bowling I got wickets. I do a lot of practice. It was a crucial partnership and we got that wicket.”
Shafali Verma revealed that meeting Sachin Tendulkar boosted her confidence ahead of the final.
“It was main match and after meeting him my confidence got boosted,” Shafali Verma told CNN News18 exclusively.
Shivani Gupta is a Senior Associate editor and anchor with CNN-News18. She has 15 years of experience as a journalist, starting with print and then in TV. She has written for some leading publications in the co…Read More
Shivani Gupta is a Senior Associate editor and anchor with CNN-News18. She has 15 years of experience as a journalist, starting with print and then in TV. She has written for some leading publications in the co… Read More
November 04, 2025, 11:59 IST
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