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Team India opener Shafali Verma played a wonderful knock in the Women's World Cup 2025 final against South Africa on Sunday, November 2. South Africa won the toss and chose to field first at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.
Shafali helped India get off to a brilliant start. The 21-year-old missed out on a well-deserved century, losing her wicket after scoring 87 runs off 78 balls at an impressive strike rate of 111.54.
The swashbuckling batter struck two sixes and seven fours during her stay at the crease. She became the youngest player to hit a half-century in an ODI World Cup final.
Notably, Shafali was initially omitted from India's World Cup 2025 squad. However, she was drafted into the side ahead of the semifinal as Pratika Rawal's injury replacement.
The youngster made the most of the opportunity, delivering an exceptional performance in the all-important final. She received praise from all quarters for her batting exploits.
Here are some of the top reactions on X:
Shafali Verma is playing tbe most important innings of her life 💯 Fifty for Shafali Verma in the World Cup final. From not picked in the WC squad to scoring fifty in the WC final #CWC2025 #CWC25
coming in just before the SF & scoring like this in the final. whatever happens from now but a wonderful knock Shafali👏
@sumansingh1992_ “She came, she saw, she smashed! Shafali storm hitting Navi Mumbai like never before!
Shafali what an innings this in a worldcup final.
What an unbelievable story arc this for Shafali! 🙌
So happy for Shafali! Have been following her since her debut and it’s the first name I try to find on the scorecard only because of her potential. It was about time she did justice to her talent! What an occasion! #WomensWorldCup2025
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana stitched together a fantastic 104-run opening partnership from 106 deliveries for India. After Mandhana departed after a 45-run knock off 58 balls, Shafali and Jemimah Rodrigues added 62 runs from as many balls for the second wicket.
Shafali Verma's impactful knock came to an end in the 28th over
Ayabonga Khaka provided South Africa with a massive breakthrough by dismissing the well-set Shafali Verma in the 28th over. On the fifth ball, the opening batter attempted to play a big shot over mid-off.
However, she failed to get enough distance and was ultimately caught by Sune Luus. Shafali received a standing ovation from the fans at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy for her batting exploits.
It is worth mentioning that she had some luck on her side in the final. The hard-hitting batter got a big reprieve in the 21st over as Anneke Bosch dropped her catch at deep midwicket.
Meanwhile, at the time of writing, India are 195/3 after 34 overs, with Harmanpreet Kaur (12* off 17) and Deepti Sharma (15* off 15) at the crease.
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Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai
English (US)