Shafali Verma Shines in ICC Women's World Cup Final, Leading India to Historic Victory

Shafali Verma's Inspiring Performance

In the ICC Women's World Cup Final 2025, Shafali Verma, who was named Player of the Match, shared that witnessing cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar in the stands provided her with an extraordinary motivation. At just 21 years and 279 days, she has become the youngest player to earn the Player of the Match title in either the semi-final or final of an ODI World Cup, whether for men or women. India ended their long wait for a world title by clinching their first ICC Women's World Cup trophy, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a remarkable performance at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Verma's impressive innings of 87 runs, along with her two vital wickets, played a crucial role in securing this historic win for India.

Sachin's Influence on Verma

"I felt that God brought me here to achieve something special, and that was evident today. I am overjoyed with our victory, and words cannot express my feelings. It was challenging, but I believed in myself. I knew that if I remained composed, I could accomplish anything. My family, friends, and brother have all been my support system, guiding me on how to play. It was essential for both my team and me, and my goal was to help my team win. I maintained a clear mindset and focused on my strategies. I am thrilled that I could execute my plans, and the support from Smriti di and Harman di was invaluable. They encouraged me to play my natural game, and that clarity was all I needed. This is a moment I will cherish forever. Seeing Sachin Tendulkar gave me an incredible boost. I often speak with him, and he continuously inspires me. He is a cricketing legend, and just being in his presence motivates us all," Verma expressed after the match.

Verma Sets New Records

With her remarkable score of 87, Verma made history by achieving the highest score for the Indian team in a Women's World Cup final, surpassing Punam Raut's previous record of 86 set in the 2017 final against England.

India's Strong Opening Partnership

India's opening batswomen, Smriti Mandhana and Verma, provided a stellar start for the team. They combined caution with aggression, taking advantage of loose deliveries while maintaining a steady scoring rate. The partnership reached fifty runs in just 6.3 overs, and by the end of the first ten overs, India was in a strong position at 64 without losing a wicket.

The opening pair continued to dominate, accumulating 104 runs before Mandhana was dismissed for 45 runs by Chloe Tryon.