India batter Shafali Verma reflected on her dramatic return to the national setup and her key role in the team’s 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, saying the last-minute chance to play in the tournament was all part of God’s plan for her.
At the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, Shafali was India’s top scorer in the final with 87 runs and also picked up two wickets, earning the Player of the Match award in India’s landmark 52-run victory over South Africa. It marked a stunning turnaround for the young opener, who was drafted into the squad only last week as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal.
“When I got the call before the semi-final, I was honestly just shocked and super happy. Getting a last-minute chance like that doesn’t happen often. I told myself to keep things simple and enjoy the moment. Scoring runs and taking wickets in the final felt like a dream come true. I really believe this was all God’s plan, Shafali told JioStar.
She credited the team’s inclusive environment and leadership for helping her settle in quickly. “From the day I rejoined the squad, everyone made me feel like I belonged here. Head Coach Amol Muzumdar and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur told me to play fearlessly, stick to my natural game, and not worry about mistakes.
“That freedom gave me a lot of confidence. The girls supported each other through everything. If someone was down, others would cheer them up. That’s what made this team so special.”
Shafali also spoke candidly about the disappointment of missing the initial selection and the motivation it gave her to improve. “When I wasn’t picked initially, it did hurt. But I decided to work harder on my fitness and focus on what I could control. My teammates kept telling me, ‘You’ll be back, just stay ready.’ That belief from them and my family kept me going. To now be standing here as a World Cup winner… it feels unreal.”
She went on to praise the team’s culture of openness and mutual respect. “I always believed I would eventually rejoin this squad. Our team had the perfect mix of youth and experience, and the seniors always made sure everyone felt heard. In team meetings, everyone’s opinion mattered — no one felt left out or lesser. That kind of environment really gives you confidence to play freely.”
On the team’s approach to the final, Shafali said the players focused on staying grounded during the high-stakes clash. “Before the final, our plan was simple: don’t overthink it. Play to our strengths and treat it like any other game. Harman di (Harmanpreet Kaur), Smriti di (Smriti Mandhana), and the seniors really kept things calm in the dressing room. Everyone backed each other — whether it was Richa Ghosh and me cheering from the boundary or motivating the bowlers in tough moments. That belief helped us lift the trophy.”
She identified the semifinal win over Australia as the turning point in India’s campaign. “Beating Australia in the semi-final gave us a huge boost. We’ve lost to them many times before, so that win changed everything. It made us believe we could go all the way. Every player gave it their all in the final, especially in the field. We wanted to leave everything out there. That’s what made this win so emotional and so special for all of us.”
Jemimah Rodrigues also spoke glowingly about Shafali’s impact on India’s triumph. “Some moments just feel meant to be, and Shafali’s last-minute inclusion before the semi-final was one of them. We honestly couldn’t have pulled this off without her.
“Beyond the performances, this team’s togetherness stood out. Everyone had each other’s back — whether it was a tough day or a big win, the support never stopped. Winning the World Cup is huge, but the bond we’ve built means even more.”
—IANS