The architect of India’s historic Women’s Cricket World Cup victory, Shafali Verma, has revealed that batting legend Sachin Tendulkar played a significant role in her confidence-boosting, match-winning performance. Verma’s explosive 87 runs against South Africa were the cornerstone of India’s historic win.
Joining the squad as a late replacement, the 21-year-old Verma stepped up to the plate, delivering an innings for the ages. This performance marked a powerful comeback for Verma, who had recently been dropped from the ODI squad, and demonstrated her ability to perform under immense pressure.
Verma shared how seeing Tendulkar on the field before the final provided an unexpected surge of motivation. “When I saw him (Tendulkar), it gave me an incredible boost. I kept talking to him and he kept giving me confidence,” she explained. “He is the master of cricket, and we keep getting inspired just looking at him.”
Her contributions extended beyond her batting, as Verma also chipped in with two crucial wickets, showcasing her all-round talent. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s strategic decision to hand Verma the ball during South Africa’s chase proved pivotal. Kaur acknowledged it was a risk that paid off handsomely, with Verma’s quick wickets shifting the momentum decisively.
Despite her recent time away from the national team, Verma never doubted her capacity to shine. “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.”