Shafali Verma Shines in the World Cup Final with a Long-Awaited Half-Century: Shafali Verma finally ended her three-year wait for a fifty in style, delivering when it mattered the most – in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The young opener brought up her half-century in 49 balls, giving India a powerful start against South Africa in the title clash.
Shafali Verma was drafted into the playing XI after Pratika Rawal suffered a tournament-ending injury. However, she had a forgettable outing in the semi-final against Australia, managing just 10 off 5 balls. With plenty of expectations on her shoulders heading into Sunday’s big game in Navi Mumbai, she made sure to make it count this time.
Strong Start After a Slow Beginning
India began their innings cautiously, with the first over being a maiden. But Shafali wasted no time getting into rhythm. She found the boundary in the second over and looked fluent from there. Another crisp shot came in the third over, and her timing looked spot on.
The young opener picked up a few more boundaries in the over from her Delhi Capitals teammate Marizanne Kapp, keeping the momentum going. Alongside Smriti Mandhana, Shafali built a solid 104-run partnership, helping India take control of the game. Smriti Mandhana, on the other hand, went on to break the record for the most runs scored by an Indian batter in a single World Cup edition.
Shafali Verma scores half-century during India vs South Africa Women’s World Cup final
As South Africa brought in their left-arm spinners, India’s scoring rate dipped briefly. But Shafali decided to take charge again, smashing a big six off De Klerk in the 15th over to release the pressure. She calmly rotated the strike after that and brought up her fifty with a few smart singles.
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She got a lucky escape while batting on 56 when Anneke Bosch dropped her at deep mid-wicket. Battling the humid conditions in Navi Mumbai, Shafali Verma started to show signs of cramp and needed medical assistance. But she responded in the best possible way – by launching a huge six off Sune Luus right after treatment.
A Fighting Knock Comes to an End
Shafali Verma was looking set for a big score and even seemed on course to become the youngest centurion in a World Cup final, across both men’s and women’s cricket. However, her attacking instincts got the better of her in the 28th over when she chipped one straight to Luus.
Shafali Verma’s knock was a reminder of her fearless style and ability to perform under pressure, especially after struggling for form over the past few years.
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A Comeback to Remember
This fifty was Shafali’s first in nearly three years, with her last one coming in July 2022 against Sri Lanka. Since then, she had gone through a rough patch that even saw her dropped from India’s ODI side.
But in this high-pressure final, Shafali Verma showed exactly why the team management and selectors continued to back her – proving once again that she’s built for the big stage.
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