Shafali Verma Etches Her Name In History Books With Record-Breaking Final Performance

Star India batter Shafali Verma on Sunday, November 2, became the first player to score a half-century as well as pick two wickets in the final of a Women’s ODI World Cup. The youngster is returning to the Indian team after a long break, but she looked her part not just with the bat, but with the ball too.

With Smriti Mandhana, Shafali built a 104-run partnership for the opening wicket before the former was dismissed by Chloe Tryon. Shafali then added another 62 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues before being dismissed for 87 by Ayabonga Khaka.

But Shafali brought in her surprise element when she came in to bowl. Brought in by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur when her South Africa counterpart, Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus were building a partnership, Shafali gave

instant results.

On just her second delivery, the youngster caught and bowled Luus. She came back in her next over, i.e. South Africa’s 23rd, and dismissed Marizanne Kapp, as India’s joy knew no bounds.

Deepti Sharma then removed Sinalo Jafta (16) as South Africa lost half their team in the 30th over.

Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen were batting on 75 and 1, with the visitors still needing 149 runs in 20 overs.

Opening the innings, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (23) put on a steady 51-run partnership before a brilliant direct hit from Amanjot Kaur ended Brits’ stay, catching her short of the crease while attempting a quick single.

Deepti Sharma’s run-a-ball 58, featuring three boundaries and a six, along with Richa Ghosh’s brisk 34 off 24 deliveries (3x4s, 2x6s), injected vital momentum late in the innings.

Deepti and Richa added 47 for the sixth wicket after India’s middle order, including Rodrigues (24) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20), fell short of converting their starts.

Earlier, after being asked to bat, Shafali’s robust 87 laid the foundation for India’s innings, but South Africa rallied to restrict the visitors to 298/7.