New Delhi [India], November 7 (HBTV): Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia lauded young batting sensation Shafali Verma after India lifted the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 by defeating South Africa in the final.
‘I congratulate Shafali Verma very much. Bravo. I spoke with her father, Sanjeev Verma. I told him that the day I come to Rohtak, I would visit his house for tea, and if Shafali is there, I would meet her,’ Bhatia said.
Bhatia further revealed that the Women’s Commission has decided to honour the Rohtak-born cricketer for her remarkable achievements.
‘The Women’s Commission decided that we would nominate Shafali Verma as our 2026 ambassador,’ she added.
Shafali, who entered the tournament as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, played a defining role in the final. The young opener was named Player of the Match after a sensational all-round performance, smashing 87 off 78 balls and picking up 2/36 to help India clinch their maiden Women’s World Cup title.
It was a stunning turnaround for Shafali, who had last played an ODI in October before returning for the semifinals against Australia. While her T20I form was strong — scoring 176 runs in five innings at a strike rate above 158 — and she enjoyed an excellent Women’s Premier League (WPL) season with Delhi Capitals, averaging 38.00 with 304 runs in nine innings, her inconsistency in ODIs had kept her out of the squad earlier.
Pratika Rawal, who had averaged over 50 in her ODI career and was India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 308 runs in six innings, including a century and a fifty, was widely regarded as a key batter. However, Shafali’s explosiveness and her surprise impact as a bowler turned the final in India’s favour.
Batting first, India posted 298/7, powered by a century partnership between Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali (87), followed by crucial knocks from Richa Ghosh (34) and Deepti Sharma (58). South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt (101) kept her team in contention, but a match-turning spell from Shafali and a five-wicket haul by Deepti Sharma (5/39) dismantled the Proteas middle order, bowling them out for 246.
Shafali’s heroics earned her the Player of the Match award and the admiration of fans across the country.
(ANI)