On November 2, 2025, the Indian women’s cricket team created history by winning their maiden World Cup title after defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. The victory was monumental, marking the first time a team other than England, Australia, or New Zealand claimed the trophy. One of the most unexpected highlights of the match was Shafali Verma’s remarkable bowling spell, which turned the game in India’s favor. After the match, South African captain Laura Wolvaardt revealed that Shafali’s bowling had left her team both surprised and frustrated.
Shafali Verma’s bowling came as a surprise for South Africa, admits skipper Laura Wolvaardt
In the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup final, the Indian women’s cricket team delivered an unforgettable performance to clinch their maiden title against South Africa. While India’s seasoned bowlers were expected to take charge (which they did), it was Shafali Verma’s unexpected bowling spell that stole the spotlight. Known primarily for her explosive batting, Shafali’s entry into the bowling attack surprised not only the spectators but also the South African players themselves.
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During the post-match conference, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt openly admitted that her side was not prepared for Shafali’s bowling at all.
“Didn’t really expect her to bowl much today, so a bit of a surprise factor from them.”
Wolvaardt further added,
“She bowled front of the hand and really slow and was able to pick up a couple of wickets. In a World Cup final, you don’t want to lose wickets to a part-time bowler.”
Shafali not only surprised the South Africans but also delivered crucial breakthroughs by dismissing two of their most reliable middle-order batters, Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp, shifting the game’s momentum firmly in India’s favour. Wolvaardt admitted just how frustrating that was for her side.
She said,
“It was frustrating that she was able to pick up two big ones as well. Then we almost had to err on the side of caution to not give her any more wickets. She bowled pretty well. Frustrating, I guess, because it’s not really the person you plan for. But yeah, she played well.”
Her honest words summed up the South African team’s struggle against an unexpected threat. What started as a surprise move by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur turned into a tactical masterstroke, as Shafali Verma’s bowling spell dismantled South Africa’s batting rhythm and helped India clinch a historic victory.
Shafali Verma turned out to be captain Harmanpreet’s perfect masterstroke
The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup final will forever be remembered as the night when Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s instinct turned into India’s biggest triumph. Among all the stars who shone bright that evening, Shafali Verma’s performance stood out as a turning point – both for the match and for her own cricketing journey. The 21-year-old, once dropped from the ODI setup for inconsistency, silenced every critic by delivering a dream performance in the most crucial game of her life.
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Before the finale, Shafali had bowled just 14 overs in her entire ODI career, and no one expected her to be handed the ball in a World Cup final. But when South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus were comfortably building their innings, Harmanpreet decided to trust her gut. Explaining her decision later, she said,
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“When Laura and Sune were batting, they were looking really good. I just saw Shafali standing there, and the way she was batting, I knew it was our day. I thought I have to go with my gut feeling. If my heart was saying, I had to give her at least one over. And that was the turning point for us.”
That one over indeed changed everything. Shafali dismissed two of South Africa’s most dependable batters thereby breaking the backbone of their chase.
Harmanpreet further revealed that Shafali’s positivity was key to the decision, saying,
“When she came to the team, we spoke to her that we might need 2-3 overs, and she said if you give me bowling, I will bowl ten overs. Credit goes to her; she was so positive and she was there for the team. Salute her.”
Shafali Verma, the star of 2025 Women’s World Cup
Shafali Verma emerged as the shining star of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup final, delivering a performance that dreams are made of. She was named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance – scoring a match-winning 87 off 78 balls at the top of the order and taking 2/36 with the ball, turning the game in India’s favour. Her calmness, confidence, and determination were on full display as she led India to their maiden World Cup title.
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Speaking after the win, an emotional Shafali said,
“God has sent me here to do something nice, and that reflected today. I had confidence in myself – that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything.”
She credited her family, teammates, and mentors like Sachin Tendulkar for their constant support and inspiration. Shafali’s dream run in the final not only sealed India’s victory but also established her as one of the brightest stars in women’s cricket history.
What are your thoughts on the performance of Shafali Verma? Did you watch women in blue lift the World Cup, yesterday? Do share your thoughts via the comments below.
