Shafali Verma Ffity World Cup Final PtiImage Credit source: PTI
Team India’s young opener Shefali Verma fulfilled the promise made to her father and scored an excellent half-century in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup. Shefali, who was not selected in the World Cup squad, suddenly got a place in the team due to Pratika Raval’s injury before the semi-final match. Although she failed in the semi-finals, this 21-year-old aggressive batsman made a brilliant comeback in the final against South Africa and scored a memorable half-century and with this became the youngest batsman to do so. However, Shefali missed her century and was out on the score of 87.
Team India came to bat first after losing the toss at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Due to the delay of 2 hours due to rain, this innings could have made it difficult to bat first but Shefali proved these apprehensions wrong as soon as she entered the crease. Shefali, who was out after scoring only 10 runs in the semi-finals, this time batted aggressively and completed her half-century in just 49 balls.
This half-century was very special for Shefali because it took her 3 years to reach here. Shefali, who was struggling to perform consistently in ODI cricket, scored a half-century in this format after more than 3 years. His last half-century came in July 2022. After this, Shefali had crossed 40 only once and in that too she was out after scoring 49 runs. But now finally Shefali has crossed this hurdle also. This was the fifth half-century inning of his career.
With this half-century, Shefali became the youngest batsman (male or female) to score a half-century in the history of the World Cup final. Shefali made this world record at the age of just 21 years and 278 days. Not only this, she became only the third Indian opener to score a half-century in the World Cup final. This feat was first done by Virender Sehwag in the Men’s World Cup 2003. Then Poonam Raut also scored a half-century in the Women’s World Cup 2017. Now Shefali’s name has also been included in this list.
However, Shefali was heartbroken when she was out on the score of 87 runs. In the 28th over of the innings, Shefali got out while trying to play a big shot on the ball of Ayabonga Khaka. In her innings, Shefali scored 87 runs in 78 balls, which included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Even though she could not score a century, Shefali fulfilled the promise she had made to her father. After being out for just 10 runs in the semi-finals, Shefali had assured her father that she would play a big innings in the finals and the young batsman fulfilled her promise to her father.