Shafali Verma Reflects on Year-Long Journey to World Cup Triumph: ‘My Hard Work Finally Paid Off’

Shafali Verma: From Year-Long Exile to World Cup Glory.

Shafali Verma’s journey back to India’s one-day side reached its fairytale peak on the biggest stage, as the 21-year-old produced a match-defining all-round performance to help India lift their maiden 50-over World Cup.

After spending nearly a year out of the ODI setup, the fearless stroke-maker who once took world cricket by storm reclaimed her spot in dramatic fashion—when India needed her most.

Her recall, as it turned out, was almost accidental. Shafali was drafted into the squad only after Pratika Rawal suffered an ankle injury while fielding against Bangladesh, ruling the in-form opener out of the tournament. The late call-up turned into a golden opportunity, and Shafali seized it spectacularly—smashing 87 off 78 balls at the top and taking 2 for 36 in the final to swing the match decisively India’s way.

Speaking to PTI during her felicitation in Rohtak, Shafali reflected on a year that tested her resilience. “The last one year was very tough for me. I faced a lot of struggles, but I kept working extremely hard, and God rewarded me for that effort,” she said.

On returning to the national camp ahead of the semifinal, she admitted to some initial nerves before rediscovering her rhythm. “At first, I was a bit nervous, but I focused on my strategy and executed it well. I just wanted to contribute to the World Cup win,” she added.

For Shafali, the journey back began months earlier in domestic cricket. After being dropped from the ODI side for inconsistent form, she rebuilt her game brick by brick—topping the run charts in both the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy and the Challenger Trophy. Her batting showed a balance of aggression and control that impressed the selectors and proved her evolution as a player.

That maturity shone through in the final. She mixed power with patience in a 104-run opening stand with Smriti Mandhana, before her twin strikes—Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp—broke South Africa’s chase. The Player of the Match award crowned a comeback rooted in perseverance and reinvention.

Returning home to a rousing reception, Shafali said lifting the trophy meant far more than any personal milestone. “Missing a hundred didn’t matter. Winning the World Cup did. My family stood by me through everything—this victory is as much theirs as mine.”

And to the young girls who idolise her, she had one piece of advice:

“Work hard, believe in yourself, and your time will come.”