After her match-winning all-round heroics against South Africa in the World Cup final, Shafali Verma said that her inclusion in the team was meant to help her do something for her country.
She joined the squad as a replacement for Pratika Rawal ahead of the semi-final against Australia, and in the final she played a match-defining knock of 87 runs off 78 balls, as well as taking two crucial wickets which guided India to their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title.
India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium, and Shafali was named Player of the Match for her outstanding all-round performance.
“I said at the start that God has sent me here to do something good, and that was reflected today,” Shafali said at the post-match presentation. “I’m very happy that we won, and I cannot express it in words. It was difficult, but I had confidence in myself – that if I could stay calm, I could achieve anything. My parents, my friends, my brother – everyone supported me and helped me understand how to play.”
Shafali also spoke about her mindset and the support she received from the team since joining the squad.
“It was very important for my team and for me, and I just wanted to help my team win. My mind was clear, and I worked on my plans. I’m so happy that I could execute them, and Smriti di and Harman di – everyone was supporting me. They (the seniors) told me just to play my own game, and when you get that clarity, that’s all you need,” she added.
Her knock was full of confidence and composure. Shafali’s attacking innings included seven boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of 111.58. Later, Deepti Sharma’s 58 runs and Richa Ghosh’s 34 helped India post a strong total of 298 for 7. Deepti was also brilliant with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul to help bundle out South Africa for 246 runs.
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