Shafali Verma Turns Injury Replacement Into World Cup Glory

Key Partnerships And Game-Changing Moments

Shafali’s powerful knock set the tone for India’s innings. She and Smriti Mandhana put together a solid 104-run opening partnership in just 106 deliveries, giving India complete control early on. After Mandhana was dismissed for 45 off 58 balls, Shafali continued her dominance, building another 62-run stand with Jemimah Rodrigues.

Her aggressive approach kept the scoreboard moving and placed South Africa under pressure. Even though she fell short of a century, her innings played a major role in India’s strong position. Her dismissal finally came in the 28th over when Ayabonga Khaka forced her into a mistimed lofted shot that was caught by Sune Luus. The crowd responded with a standing ovation, acknowledging the importance of her innings in a World Cup final.

A Knock To Remember Despite A Missed Ton

Shafali did have a stroke of luck earlier in the match when Anneke Bosch dropped a straightforward catch in the 21st over, giving her a second life. She capitalised brilliantly and turned that moment into a match-defining performance. By the time she walked back to the pavilion, India were already in a commanding position.

At the latest update, India stood at 195/3 after 34 overs, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma at the crease, looking to build on the platform set by Shafali. Her innings not only changed the flow of the final but also sparked emotional reactions from fans, who celebrated her stunning comeback and unexpected rise from being dropped to starring in the final.