Young Indian cricketer Shafali Verma attributes her sensational World Cup final performance to an inspiring encounter with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. Verma delivered a match-winning innings of 87 runs against South Africa, guiding India to their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
Her inclusion in the squad was a late change due to an injury to regular opener Pratika Rawal. Despite this pressure, the 21-year-old displayed remarkable composure and skill. This victory holds particular significance for Verma, who had faced a period on the sidelines in the ODI setup. Her performance in the final marked a strong comeback after scoring only 10 runs in the semi-final.
Verma revealed the profound impact of seeing Tendulkar at the ground before the crucial match. “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.”
Beyond her batting prowess, Verma also made a significant contribution with the ball, taking two vital wickets. This bowling effort came as a surprise and a strategic decision by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who entrusted Verma with important overs during South Africa’s chase. Kaur described it as a ‘gut feeling’ that paid off, leading to a turning point in the match.
Despite recent challenges, Verma maintained unwavering self-belief. “It was difficult but I had confidence in myself, that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything,” she stated. “I just wanted to make my team win. My mind was clear, and I worked on my plans. I am happy that I could execute them and everyone was supporting me.”