India lifted the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 trophy in Navi Mumbai with a dominant 52-run win over South Africa, and at the heart of the historic night stood Shafali Verma — delivering one of the greatest all-round performances in a World Cup final.
The 21-year-old opener, who returned to the ODI setup only due to an injury replacement ahead of the semifinal, played a defining knock of 87 off 78 balls with seven fours and two sixes, laying the perfect platform for India’s commanding 298/7. Her intent never dipped even when wickets fell around her, and her fearless footwork kept the South African bowlers under pressure throughout her innings.
Shafali complemented her batting brilliance with the ball, returning 2 for 36 in 7 overs, including key breakthroughs at a crucial stage as South Africa attempted to rebuild. Her spell broke the momentum just when the chase looked threatening.
With this performance, Shafali became the player of the match, adding yet another milestone to a fairytale comeback story. Only a year ago, she wasn’t in contention for the ODI World Cup squad — today she stood at the center of Indian cricket’s biggest triumph in women’s cricket history.
Her innings breakdown:
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Front foot: 30 (29), SR 103.44
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Back foot: 23 (23), SR 100
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Down the track: 31 (22), SR 140.90
vs pace: 13 off 8 (3 fours, SR 162.50)
vs spin: 18 off 14 (1 six, SR 128.57)
Shafali’s return from domestic grind to World Cup heroism mirrors the grit this Indian team has shown all tournament. Left out for over a year, she answered on the grandest stage — first by firing in the semifinal, and then by producing a final performance for the ages.
On a night filled with emotional celebrations, tears, and tricolors waving across a packed DY Patil Stadium, Shafali Verma’s fearless cricket embodied a new era for Indian women’s sport — bold, unafraid, and champion-minded.
