Navi Mumbai, Nov 2 (NationPress) Shafali Verma achieved her first ODI half-century in three years, while Deepti Sharma secured her third during this Women's World Cup as India amassed 298/7 in their 50 overs against South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.

At just 21 years old, Shafali became the youngest player to score a fifty in a World Cup final, contributing a remarkable 87 after returning to the ODI team after a year. She formed a significant partnership with Smriti Mandhana (45) that raised the century mark. Although South Africa managed to regain control during the middle overs, Deepti Sharma's third fifty of the tournament helped bolster the innings. Along with Richa Ghosh, who contributed 34 runs, they added 47 runs for the sixth wicket and brought India closer to the coveted 300-run total.

Opting to bat first, India enjoyed a tremendous start with the experienced pair of Shafali and Smriti Mandhana, who combined for 100 runs for the opening wicket, marking their milestone of 1000 runs together as openers—making them the fourth Indian duo to achieve this.

Shafali, who replaced the injured Pratika Rawal just before the semifinals, began with an aggressive approach, striking seven fours and two sixes in her 78-ball innings. She opened her account with a boundary against Ayabonga Khaka in the second over after Marizanne Kapp bowled a maiden. She amassed 64 runs during the Power-play alongside Mandhana, scoring her first fifty in three years off just 49 balls, including five boundaries and the first six of the final off Nadine de Klerk.

While Smriti Mandhana started tentatively, she accelerated her innings and looked set for a fifty before being dismissed for 45 off 58 balls, featuring eight fours.

Shafali, recognized as the youngest player to represent India, was fortunate to escape dismissal when Anneke Bosch dropped a simple catch while she was on 57, after a slog-sweep that went high into the air. She hit another six before unfortunately falling to Khaka when in sight of her maiden century, offering a catch to Sune Luus for 87.

After Shafali's dismissal at 166/2, India struggled, with Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and Harmanpreet Kaur (20), the stars of India's semi-final victory over Australia, departing cheaply.

Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba played a crucial role in South Africa's comeback, delivering an exceptional second spell after conceding 29 runs in her first three overs. She claimed the prized wicket of the Indian captain, leading to India slipping to 223/4 after Harman's dismissal and soon 245/5 as Amanjot Kaur fell for 12 runs off just 14 balls, caught and bowled by de Klerk. Some may argue that India missed a strategic opportunity by sending Amanjot ahead of Richa Sharma, who had previously scored an impressive 94 against South Africa in the group stage.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma continued to anchor the innings while Richa sought aggressive shots, including a six off de Klerk. A remarkable six off Kapp's wide yorker highlighted Richa's efforts before she was dropped by Bosch off Kapp in the 48th over, only to offer an easy catch in the next. Deepti reached her half-century off 52 balls, marking her sixth fifty in ODIs, but India ultimately fell short of the psychological 300-run milestone.

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