Team India opener Shafali Verma has delivered her best in the high-stakes Women's ODI World Cup 2025 Final against South Africa at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2. Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India was put into bat first after losing to the South Africa skipper, Laura Wolvdaart.

Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided Team India a steady start to their innings and took the hosts past the 100-run mark in the 18th over of the innings. The opening pair frustrated the South African bowlers, who were looking for a breakthrough, as Mandhana and Shafali formed a 104-run partnership before India's vice-captain was dismissed for 45 off 58 balls by Chloe Tyron.

After Smriti Mandhana's dismissal, Shafali Verma was joined by Jemimah Rodrigues at the crease to carry on India's innings. The pair steadied India's ship and carried on the momentum built by the openers, rotating the strike smartly and punishing loose deliveries to maintain a healthy scoring rate.

Shafali Verma Makes a Comeback with Fifty

Shafali Verma was added to the India squad as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out of the World Cup due to knee and ankle injuries ahead of the semifinal against Australia. The 21-year-old played her first ODI match since October last year in the semifinal against Australia, but was dismissed for just 10 runs in Navi Mumbai.

However, in the high-stakes Women's World Cup final, Shafali Verma rose to the occasion with a composed yet aggressive half-century, showcasing her trademark power-hitting and improved shot selection. After Smriti Mandhana's dismissal, the young opener anchored the innings and built a partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues to take Team India past the 150-run mark.

Shafali completed her fifth ODI fifty in 49 balls, displaying her perfect blend of maturity and intent as she paced her innings beautifully. In the middle of the innings, the youngster had experienced cramps, but she battled through the discomfort to continue her fluent knock, showcasing her grit and determination on the biggest stage of her career.

A shot that leaves you going We're witnessing vintage #ShafaliVerma, delivering on the grandest stage, just when it matters the most! #CWC25 Final #INDvSA, LIVE NOW twitter/1mwc8WsLH9

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 2, 2025

At 21 years & 278 days, Shafali Verma becomes the youngest players to score a fifty in an ODI WC Final (Men's or Women's)#CWC25 Final #INDvSA, LIVE NOW twitter/V82L8F91Wq

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 2, 2025

Shafali Verma looked determined to record her first century of her ODI career, but her stay at the crease was ended by Ayabonga Khaka at 166/2. Shafali played a brilliant innings of 87 off 78 balls, her highest individual score in ODIs, and formed a crucial 62-run stand for the second with Jemimah Rodrigues/

Fans Hail Shafali Verma's Crucial Knock

Shafali Verma's brilliant knock in the World Cup final drew widespread acclaim from fans and cricket pundits, who lauded her temperament, maturity, and ability to rise to the occasion when she was needed the most by the team.

SHAFALI VERMA PLAYED ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER KNOCKS FOR INDIA. - 87 (78) in the World Cup Final. twitter/WcjlIL0E19

- Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 2, 2025

Dropped before, but destiny had its say. Called back as a replacement and responded with a World Cup final innings that will be remembered for years. Shafali Verma, take a bow! ‍♀️

- Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) November 2, 2025

I didn't have a problem with Shafali Verma getting dropped from the Indian squad when she was, but it was the subsequent lack of backing that baffled me. A game-changer, should've been handled better. Should've always been in the original squad, glad to see this now.#CWC25

- Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) November 2, 2025

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it I will always pick Shafali Verma ahead of Pratika Rawal in my team. Shafali may not perform in every match, but the day she does, she will always make you win the match #INDvsSA twitter/ZOKMUqTqFn Aditya Soni (@imAdsoni) November 2, twitter/PbhPn1fpYtThere's a long way to go in the big final but Shafali Verma deserves a lot of praise already. She was not in the initial squad, came in as a replacement and took on SA bowlers right from the word go. It's never easy to play aggressive game in the...

- Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) November 2, 2025

Well played queen  Shafali Verma #INDWvSAW#ICCWomensWorldCup2025 twitter/ppTOGHGVzc

- Kohilnation 3.0 (@duary_satyajit) November 2, 2025

- Dropped from the team in early. - Out of ODI team for a year.- Comeback in this World Cup.- She played a terrific innings in Final.- She scored 87(78) in Big Final TO SHAFALI VERMA. twitter/PMcSrVNAtL

- Sam (@Cricsam01) November 2, 2025

What a knock in WC final, take a bow Shafali Verma twitter/lybiUlYEml

- Ayush Singh (@Ayush_Singh27) November 2, 2025

Shafali Verma strikes 87 runs A solid knock leading India's charge against South Africa in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup! #ShafaliVerma #INDvSA #WomensCricket #TeamIndia #CricketWorldCup twitter/vTzV48h0aN

- UDAI LAL SHARMA (@UDAILALSHARMA98) November 2, 2025

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