Shafali Verma Unpacks Team India Women’s Next Target after WODI WC Triumph

21-year-old batting allrounder Shafali Verma made a late but significant contribution to Team India Women’s successful WODI WC 2025 campaign. The versatile youngster performed a bat-and-ball masterclass (87 runs and 2 wickets) to ensure India Women’s previous status as perennial underachievers ended.

Verma now has her sights set on more success with India after securing the side’s first-ever WODI WC title in style:

“This is always a dream, we will make it a habit, and we will bring even more World Cups to our home soil,” the cricketer said during a recent interview.

Shafali Verma’s Redemption Arc Caps a Successful 2025 Season

Verma was scheduled to not take part in India’s WODI WC squad after being left out early into preparations for the tournament. She did not receive a call-up to feature in early games but still wished her teammates well nonetheless.

Her big break came through when an injury in Team India Women’s camp triggered her emergency call-up. Verma answered the call to join India’s camp late into the tournament (during semifinal stage). She seized this opportunity with both hands and delivered electrifying performances to justify her call-up, particularly against South Africa.

Verma’s powerful knock earned her a high-ranking place among youngest players to ever score a half-century in cricket WC history at senior level. Her 87 runs also eclipsed the tally set by Virender Sehwag during India’s 2003 WC campaign.

Verma Speaks on Her Initial Snub After Electrifying WODI WC Final Appearance

Shafali Verma admitted that being left out of India Women’s WC squad was a tough experience for her, particularly when the tournament was to be held on home soil. However, she claims consistency and hard work was behind her success on the field after missing several matches in the campaign:

“Getting dropped from the World Cup team, and that too with the World Cup being on home soil, was a very tough feeling for me. But after that, I accepted everything, worked hard, set aside everything else, and focused only on myself. And I think God rewarded that hard work,” she said while responding to questions.

How Did Verma Contribute to India’s WODI WC Win?

Verma delivered performances worthy of a big-game player for India during the latter stages of WODI WC 2025. The cricket star’s match-winning off balls provided controlled aggression where Team India Women needed such force with the bat.

Shafali hit 7 boundaries and 2 sixes vs South Africa to provide a much-needed platform for India’s long-awaited WODI WC crown. Verma also doubled as a crucial force for dismissals vs India’s opponents during this encounter. She saw off skilled players like Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus to keep South Africa’s charge at bay.

Why Did Verma Achieve Such International Success Within a Short Period?

Verma’s strong showing at the WODI WC 2025 is a direct result of long-term hard work to ensure top-of-the-line performances against opposition teams. She has been a consistent and versatile in the domestic scene and delivered some remarkable contributions as an ‘A’ cricketer before India’s WC triumph.

Verma shone brightly during the India A tour of Australia, and her skillset put selectors on notice ahead of high-stakes international tournaments.

Where Does Verma Succeed the Most?

Shafali has not been at her best in T20s, as her tally remains modest so far. However, the cricketer seems to find her rhythm in formats with longer overs. Her remarkable long-format prowess was on display at the latter WODI WC 2025 stages, and she delivers in other non-T20 competitions too.

Verma’s long-format abilities have been on display for years; however, her recent India A success put her in the spotlight. The star cricketer scored vital runs in Brisbane and capped off

Shafali Verma Last 10 Performances

Verma’s 87 from 78 balls and 2 wickets capped off a remarkable bowling performance in a fairytale comeback to India Women’s squad.