Sachin Tendulkar’s Pep Talk Inspired Shafali Verma’s World Cup Heroics
India’s young batting sensation Shafali Verma has revealed how a pre-match encounter with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar fueled her match-winning performance in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final against South Africa.
Key Highlights
- Shafali Verma scored a dominant 87 runs in the World Cup final
- She also took two crucial wickets with the ball
- Sachin Tendulkar’s presence provided a major confidence boost
- India won their first Women’s Cricket World Cup title
The 21-year-old opener, who was a last-minute replacement for injured Pratika Rawal, delivered a career-defining performance that helped India clinch their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy. This marked a remarkable comeback for Verma, who had been dropped from India’s ODI setup last year and managed only 10 runs in her World Cup debut during the semi-final against Australia.
“When I saw him (Tendulkar), it gave me an incredible boost. I kept talking to him and he kept giving me confidence,” Shafali was quoted as saying by ICC.
“He is the master of cricket, and we keep getting inspired just looking at him,” she added.
All-Round Excellence in Final
Verma’s contribution wasn’t limited to batting alone. The young star also made a significant impact with the ball, claiming two key wickets during South Africa’s run chase. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to trust Verma with crucial overs proved to be a masterstroke.
“It was a gut feeling,” Harmanpreet said when asked about her decision to use Shafali as a bowler.
“I thought it could be risky too, but at the same time, I was positive because she had shown confidence when we spoke to her and I didn’t want to go back to the room later thinking, ‘why didn’t I try’ because they were looking good. And when I gave her that over and she got back-to-back breakthroughs, that was the turning point for us,” she added.
Mental Strength and Team Support
Despite her recent time away from the national team, Verma never doubted her ability to perform under pressure. The opener credited her mental clarity and the support from senior players for her successful comeback.
“(I am) very happy that we won and I cannot express it in words. It was difficult but I had confidence in myself, that if I can stay calm, I could achieve everything,” she said.
“I just wanted to make my team win. My mind was clear, and I worked on my plans. So, (I am) happy that I could execute them and everyone was supporting me. They (senior players) asked me just to play my own game, and when you get that clarity, that is all you need so it is a very memorable moment,” she added.
The victory represents a historic moment for in India, with Verma’s inspirational performance likely to motivate a new generation of cricketers across the country.
