Young Indian cricketer Shafali Verma has revealed the profound impact of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s presence before her game-changing performance in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final. Verma, who was a late addition to the squad due to an injury to regular opener Pratika Rawal, delivered a stellar performance against South Africa. Her explosive innings of 87 runs was instrumental in securing India’s maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
This victory marked a significant redemption for Verma, who had been out of India’s ODI plans since last year and had a modest start to the tournament with just 10 runs in the semi-final against Australia. Speaking after the triumphant match, Verma attributed her confidence to encountering Tendulkar on the ground. “When I saw him (Tendulkar), it gave me an incredible boost. I kept talking to him and he kept giving me confidence,” she shared. “He is the master of cricket, and we keep getting inspired just looking at him.”
Verma’s impact wasn’t limited to her batting prowess. She also contributed significantly with the ball, taking two crucial wickets. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to hand Verma important overs during South Africa’s chase proved to be a pivotal moment. “It was a gut feeling,” Kaur explained about her decision to utilize Verma as a bowler, acknowledging the risk but trusting Verma’s expressed confidence. The back-to-back breakthroughs by Verma were described as the turning point that secured the victory.
Despite recent setbacks, Verma maintained unwavering self-belief. “I am very happy that we won and I cannot express it in words. It was difficult but I had confidence in myself, that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything,” she stated. Her focus was solely on team victory, executing her plans with a clear mind, and appreciating the support from her teammates. The senior players’ advice to play her natural game provided the clarity she needed, making it an unforgettable moment.