Shafali Verma’s Fiery Knock Puts India in Command Against South Africa
The stage was set for a thrilling finale in Navi Mumbai as India and South Africa faced off in the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final. After hours of anticipation due to rain delays, the crowd roared back to life when the match finally began, and from that very first over, it felt like something special was unfolding.
South Africa won the toss and, perhaps hoping to exploit the overcast conditions, chose to bowl first. But that decision quickly seemed questionable once India’s openers — Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma — walked out with fierce intent. What followed was a masterclass in composure and controlled aggression. The two set the tone for India’s innings, threading boundaries with precision and punishing anything loose. By the tenth over, India were already flying, with both batters looking completely in control.
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Smriti, elegant as always, stroked her way to a fluent 45 before edging one to the keeper off Tryon’s bowling. Her dismissal momentarily quieted the crowd, but the calm didn’t last long — because Shafali Verma was still at the crease, and she had other plans.
Dropped on 56 — a costly miss by South Africa’s Anneke Bosch — Shafali made them pay heavily for that error. What followed was pure fireworks. She attacked with a mix of finesse and brute strength, sending the ball racing to the boundary again and again. Every time she played that signature straight drive or pulled one over midwicket, the stadium erupted in noise. Her timing was flawless, her confidence unshakable. Eventually, her brilliant 87 off just 78 balls came to an end when she miscued a shot straight to Sune Luus. But by then, the damage had been done — India were well past 160 and cruising.
From there, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma took charge. They steadied the innings after the quick wickets of Shafali and Jemimah Rodrigues, rotating strike smartly and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Harmanpreet, ever the fighter, looked determined to anchor India through the final overs. By the 34th over, India had already reached 195 for 3, with plenty of firepower still waiting in the dugout.
The South African bowlers — particularly Khaka and Kapp — tried everything to wrest back control, but India’s disciplined batting and aggressive intent kept the momentum firmly on their side. The fielders fought hard, diving around the boundary lines and cutting off certain fours, yet India’s rhythm remained unbroken.
It’s been a gripping contest so far — a day of fluctuating emotions, smart tactics, and big performances. With the first innings nearing its close, India seem to have built a formidable platform. And if the bowlers can back up the brilliance of their batters, the Women’s World Cup trophy might just be heading back to India.
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