India’s ODI World Cup-winning captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, said that when Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus were building a partnership, she saw Shafali Verma standing, and her gut told her it was Shafali’s
day and she couldn’t do anything wrong, which ultimately led her team to an ODI World Cup triumph.
Indian women’s cricket touched its Everest as years of toil and near-misses culminated in an evening of redemption and history for the hosts.
India’s win in the 13th edition of the global showpiece made them only the fourth team to lift the trophy, joining Australia (7 titles), England (4) and New Zealand (1) in the elite list of champions.
“When Laura and Sune were batting, they looked really good. I saw Shafali standing there and the way she batted earlier – I just knew it was her day. My heart said, “Give her one over,” Harmanpreet said while speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“I went with my gut. I asked her if she was ready and she said yes immediately. She has always wanted to contribute with the ball and that over changed everything for us. When she first joined the team, we told her she might need to bowl two or three overs. She said, “If you give me the ball, I’ll bowl ten for the team,” Harmanpreet added.
With the win, Harmanpreet’s side exorcised the ghosts of the 2005 and 2017 final heartbreaks, delivering India’s long-awaited World Cup win, a defining moment for women’s cricket in the nation.
After posting 298/7, the second-highest total in tournament history, India held their nerve to bundle out South Africa for 246 in the 46th over.
The Proteas’ fight was anchored by skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s sublime 98-ball 101, but Deepti Sharma (55 and 5/39) and Shafali Verma (87 and 2/36) produced match-winning all-round performances to seal India’s date with destiny.
Two cricketers with contrasting journeys shaped India’s win.
