NEW DELHI: India’s wait for a world title finally ended in Navi Mumbai, and at the heart of the historic triumph stood a 21-year-old who had once doubted she would even make the squad. Shafali Verma, recalled as a late replacement for injured opener Pratika Rawal, turned a stroke of fate into a performance of a lifetime.

Before the semifinal, when asked about her unexpected return, Shafali had said, “God has sent me here to do something good.” On Sunday night at the DY Patil Stadium, those words came alive as she smashed a dazzling 87 off 78 balls, laying the foundation for India’s 52-run victory over South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup final.

The storm after the rain

After a two-hour delay due to rain, Shafali brought her own thunder. Opening with Smriti Mandhana, she punished every loose ball, striking seven fours and two sixes with effortless confidence. Their 104-run partnership silenced South Africa’s attack and gave India the perfect platform for a match-winning total.

Her fluent strokeplay drew roars from a packed stadium, and even Mandhana, standing at the dressing-room entrance, applauded the youngster’s fearless innings with a pat on the back.

“I had belief in myself”

Named Player of the Match, Shafali said the innings was built on calmness and self-belief. “I had confidence in myself,” she said. “I told myself to stay calm and trust my game. My parents, my brother, and my friends kept reminding me how important this final was — not just for me but for the whole team.”

Reflecting on her prophetic comment before the semifinal, she smiled, “Yes, today it reflected. God has really sent me to do something good. I can’t express this feeling in words. We finally won the World Cup, and that’s what matters most.”

Guided by legends, lifted by faith

Shafali also credited Sachin Tendulkar for inspiring her during her return. “Talking to Sachin sir always gives me confidence. Seeing him in the stands gave me a different kind of energy,” she said. “He always tells me to believe in my instincts and play my natural game.”

For someone who was on the sidelines just a week ago, Shafali’s redemption arc could not have been more poetic. From an unexpected recall to a match-defining performance, she turned faith into fulfilment — proving that when destiny knocks, belief turns it into history.