Shafali Verma produced a stunning all-round performance in the rain-hit ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, guiding India Women to a strong position against South Africa Women.
The 21-year-old became the youngest cricketer among both men and women, to score a half-century in a World Cup final, surpassing Virender Sehwag’s mark from 2003.
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Opening the innings with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali played with authority from the start, racing to 87 off 78 balls as India posted 298/7 in 50 overs.
Her partnership of 104 runs with Mandhana (45) set the tone for India’s innings. Shafali, who struck seven boundaries and two sixes, also went past Jessica Duffin’s 2013 record for the youngest half-centurion in a Women’s World Cup final.
At 21 years and 278 days, Shafali now tops the list of youngest players to score a fifty in a World Cup final ahead of Duffin (23y 235d) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (24y 337d) in the women’s list, and Sehwag (24y 154d) in the men’s.
While her batting drew applause, Shafali shocked the stadium later in the evening when she was handed the ball and struck immediately. In a seven-ball burst that sent the crowd into pandemonium, she dismissed Sune Luus with a sharp caught-and-bowled before having Marizanne Kapp caught behind by Richa Ghosh.
Her unexpected spell drew loud cheers from the home fans and took social media by storm as India tightened their grip on the contest.
Shafali’s innings also carried historical weight, given it was the highest score by an Indian opener in any World Cup final, men’s or women’s. The right-hander’s fearless approach, often compared to Sehwag’s, seemed fitting on a night when she went one better than her idol.
India’s total of 298, which was incidentally the second-highest in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, owed much to her early aggression and composure under pressure.
The 21-year-old became the youngest cricketer among both men and women, to score a half-century in a World Cup final, surpassing Virender Sehwag’s mark from 2003.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Opening the innings with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali played with authority from the start, racing to 87 off 78 balls as India posted 298/7 in 50 overs.
Her partnership of 104 runs with Mandhana (45) set the tone for India’s innings. Shafali, who struck seven boundaries and two sixes, also went past Jessica Duffin’s 2013 record for the youngest half-centurion in a Women’s World Cup final.
At 21 years and 278 days, Shafali now tops the list of youngest players to score a fifty in a World Cup final ahead of Duffin (23y 235d) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (24y 337d) in the women’s list, and Sehwag (24y 154d) in the men’s.
While her batting drew applause, Shafali shocked the stadium later in the evening when she was handed the ball and struck immediately. In a seven-ball burst that sent the crowd into pandemonium, she dismissed Sune Luus with a sharp caught-and-bowled before having Marizanne Kapp caught behind by Richa Ghosh.
Her unexpected spell drew loud cheers from the home fans and took social media by storm as India tightened their grip on the contest.
Shafali’s innings also carried historical weight, given it was the highest score by an Indian opener in any World Cup final, men’s or women’s. The right-hander’s fearless approach, often compared to Sehwag’s, seemed fitting on a night when she went one better than her idol.
India’s total of 298, which was incidentally the second-highest in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, owed much to her early aggression and composure under pressure.
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