New Delhi, Nov 15 (NationPress) For Shafali Verma, who earned the Player of the Match title during India’s 52-run victory over South Africa in the final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, one of her most treasured moments post-victory was witnessing the pure joy radiating from her father, Sanjeev.

“My father was overjoyed. Prior to returning to Rohtak, I had a chance to meet him, and he was very, very happy. He doesn’t usually show his emotions openly, but I could clearly see the joy on his face,” shared Shafali.

“When I called him for the first time after the World Cup win, he said, ‘Haan bhai, champion!’ Hearing that made me feel incredibly good,” she recounted in an exclusive interview with IANS, arranged by JSW Sports, on Saturday.

Her reception at home in Rohtak was filled with enthusiasm, and Shafali expressed how heartwarming it was to be addressed as World Champion by her community, who thanked her and the team for their victory.

“Yes, indeed, they are calling me the World Champion. Upon my return to Rohtak, everyone greeted me with immense affection, which felt wonderful. It truly made me feel like we had triumphed in the World Cup, as the entire city of Rohtak came out to celebrate. Thank you to all of them for their support,” she stated.

“These days have been remarkably positive for me; I am receiving significant recognition and hearing many kind words. The most special aspect is the gratitude expressed by people for making India proud,” she added.

Shafali’s journey from not being included in the main squad to joining the Indian team for the World Cup knockout rounds in Navi Mumbai, while playing in Surat for the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy due to an ankle injury to Pratika Rawal, and eventually playing a pivotal role in the final, resembles a tale of sports legend.

Initially excluded from the ODI lineup due to inconsistent performance, Shafali focused on honing her skills in domestic tournaments over the past year, eventually regaining her rhythm in the 50-over format. When her ODI recall arrived, it was marked by pressure rather than celebration.

Though she scored just ten runs in the semifinal against Australia, Shafali’s composed mindset allowed her to strategize effectively for the final against South Africa. She delivered a stunning performance, scoring 87 runs off 78 balls and taking two critical wickets, including that of the formidable Marizanne Kapp.

“Before the final, I had a couple of strategies planned. I knew this was a significant occasion, and if one plan faltered, I needed a backup. Fortunately, my strategies unfolded successfully, and I’m thrilled with how I performed, contributing to our World Cup victory,” she expressed.

“During the past year, I wasn’t part of the ODI team, but I dedicated myself to improving my mind, body, and cricketing skills. As you noticed, I focused more on playing along the ground during the final due to the rain, which affected the pitch conditions,” she explained.

“The previous year of self-improvement paid off on that memorable day. I am grateful that all my efforts culminated in such a significant and joyous occasion. I am delighted with my contribution to the team,” Shafali noted.

More significant than her half-century, marking her first fifty in ODIs since 2022, was her immediate impact with the ball that unsettled South Africa. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to entrust her with the ball proved to be an astute choice, shifting the momentum convincingly in India’s direction.

“Before every match, I assured Harman di that I was ready to bowl whenever needed. I consistently practice bowling in domestic matches, which boosts my confidence,” she stated.

“We recognized that it was a crucial partnership that had persisted for a while. When I was called to bowl, I was determined to secure a breakthrough. When that breakthrough occurred in my first over, I felt elated,” she recalled.

“After that, I was fixated on dismissing Kapp as we all understood her potential impact. My focus was not only on taking wickets but also on forcing her to play more dot balls, which I executed successfully,” Shafali added.

As Harmanpreet caught Nadine de Klerk to clinch India’s victory, Shafali joyfully dashed onto the field. “Actually, I was experiencing cramps in my calf, so I had stepped off the field for the last 5-6 overs. When she caught that ball, I set my discomfort aside and ran onto the field, relishing that moment with my team,” she expressed.

Post the World Cup victory, Shafali asserted that she felt divinely guided to achieve something extraordinary. “Absolutely. When I held the Player of the Match trophy, my first thought was to thank God silently because none of this would have been possible without Him. I genuinely believe that God chose me for this moment, and I am overjoyed about it,” she affirmed.

Three years earlier, as a captain, Shafali led her team to victory in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, marking India’s inaugural title in women’s cricket. However, the triumph on November 2 at DY Patil in Navi Mumbai, which marked India’s first major silverware in women’s cricket, carries a different significance.

When asked about her belief in destiny, divine guidance, and whether this World Cup victory will be a pivotal moment for Indian women's cricket, Shafali's conviction was unmistakable.

“When we won the World Cup, it was evident that it was all orchestrated by God. The entire team, along with the nation, shares this belief. Our victory was not just for the team; it was for women’s cricket as a whole. We hope this will usher in a transformative era for women’s cricket, and we are eagerly anticipating it,” she expressed.

For women’s cricket in India, the night of November 2, 2025, symbolized years of dedication, planning, and perseverance, culminating in a historic ODI World Cup victory. For Shafali, this win transcended a mere career milestone; it embodied the realization of her potential on the grandest stage, with the added joy of knowing her father, Sanjeev, in Rohtak, was filled with happiness.