 "Shafali Verma plays the best knock of her career in World Cup final: 'History will remember this GOATed inning'")
Shafali Verma produced one of the finest innings of her career as India took on South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. The young opener, who was making a comeback to the Indian team, scored a brilliant half-century that set the tone for India’s innings on the big stage.
Shafali was not part of the original squad for the tournament but got her chance when she was called up as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal ahead of the semifinal against Australia. After a short stay at the crease in that match, the 21-year-old made full use of her opportunity in the final, showing her trademark fearless batting.
Opening the innings alongside Smriti Mandhana, Shafali went on the attack from the very first ball, smashing a boundary to announce her intent. She continued to play her shots all around the ground, timing the ball beautifully and taking on South Africa’s pacers and spinners alike. Her fifty came off just 49 balls when she took a single off Chloe Tryon in the 18th over.
Fans laud Shafali’s ‘clutch’ innings
At 21 years and 278 days, Shafali became the youngest player ever, male or female, to score a fifty in an ODI World Cup final. Social media erupted in praise for Shafali’s fearless knock. “History will remember this GOATed inning,” one fan wrote on X, while another said, “Big players rise in big moments.”
Shafali Verma take a bow,
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) November 2, 2025
History will remember this GOATed inning 🙇♂️ pic.twitter.com/8jrTkzAYvq
An innings to remember for Shafali Verma 💪 pic.twitter.com/Q3MM5Lx60h
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) November 2, 2025
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHistory made, 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐋𝐘. 🫡
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) November 2, 2025
Shafali Verma becomes the youngest ever to score a fifty in an ODI World Cup final 🇮🇳
📸: @BCCI #PlayWithFire | #CWC25 | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/X6IeQUaWKF
Shafali ‘Clutch’ Verma 👏#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/PJ2oTSc1Jq
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) November 2, 2025
Recalled into the squad for the Semis, and today plays a crucial knock in the World Cup final. Shafali Verma you beauty 🔥🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Xd9ZEoZgiZ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 2, 2025
Worth every shot. Worth every cheer. Shafali Verma for you. 🇮🇳✨#CWCFinal25 #WhistleForIndia pic.twitter.com/34AbDYcnm1
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 2, 2025
Take a bow, Shafali Verma 👏🔥
— Saurabh Singh (@saurabhxsing) November 2, 2025
Came in as an injury replacement and delivered an iconic knock in the finals.
Big players rise in big moments — and she just proved it again! 🫡💥
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