Navi Mumbai: Shafali Verma’s Brilliant 87, Deepti Sharma’s Steady Fifty Power India to 298/7 in World Cup Final

Navi Mumbai, Nov 2025 : A superb half-century from Shafali Verma—her first in three years in One-Day Internationals—and a composed fifty from Deepti Sharma helped India post a competitive 298/7 against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday. The innings featured periods of dominance, a few stumbles in the middle overs, and a late push that took India close to the 300-run mark.

Shafali, just 21 and returning to the ODI side after nearly a year, became the youngest batter to score a half-century in a World Cup final. Her fluent 87 set the tone for India’s innings and provided the perfect foundation when paired with Smriti Mandhana at the top. The two openers put on a century stand, reaching 1000 partnership runs as an opening duo—making them only the fourth Indian pair to achieve this milestone.

After being asked to bat first, India got off to a bright start as Shafali and Mandhana mixed caution with aggression. Marizanne Kapp began with a maiden over, but Shafali quickly shifted gears, hitting a boundary off Ayabonga Khaka in the second over. She continued to find gaps and clear the ropes, striking seven fours and two sixes during her 78-ball knock. She reached her first ODI fifty in three years in 49 balls, bringing up the landmark with style—dispatching Nadine de Klerk for the first six of the final.

Mandhana, meanwhile, began steadily but soon accelerated, stroking eight boundaries. Just when she looked set for a well-deserved half-century, she fell for 45 off 58 balls. Shafali too enjoyed a slice of luck when Anneke Bosch dropped a high catch at deep mid-wicket with the young Indian on 57. But her innings ended at an unfortunate moment—while she seemed destined for a maiden ODI century, a tired lofted shot off Khaka landed safely in Sune Luus’ hands, leaving India at 166/2.

Following Shafali’s dismissal, India’s innings faltered. Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and Harmanpreet Kaur (20), the stars of the dramatic semifinal win over Australia, failed to convert their starts. Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba staged a strong comeback after a costly first spell, tightening the screws in the middle overs and dismissing the Indian captain. Amanjot Kaur’s brief stay—12 off 14 balls before being caught and bowled by de Klerk—left India at 245/5, losing momentum.

However, Deepti Sharma anchored the innings calmly from one end, ensuring India did not collapse under pressure. She found solid support in Richa Ghosh, who brought much-needed flair. Richa struck a powerful six off de Klerk and later launched a wide yorker from Kapp over the ropes—a shot that drew loud cheers from the crowd. Bosch dropped her off Kapp in the 48th over, though Richa’s luck ran out soon after as she fell for 34.

Deepti completed her half-century—her third of the tournament and sixth in ODIs—off 52 balls, guiding India towards a respectable finish. Yet, despite their best efforts, India fell just short of breaching the psychological 300-run barrier, finishing at 298/7.

South Africa’s bowling was marked by tenacity, led by Ayabonga Khaka’s 3/58. Mlaba’s disciplined second spell and de Klerk’s control helped restrict India after a blazing start.

Brief Scores: India 298/7 in 50 overs (Shafali Verma 87, Deepti Sharma 54, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3/58) vs South Africa.

India’s total of 298 sets up an intriguing chase in what promises to be a thrilling World Cup final.