By Admin 
The feat that Indian women’s cricket team’s young star Shefali Verma did in the World Cup final will be remembered for years to come. In this thrilling final played against South Africa, India won the Women’s World Cup title for the first time and Shefali Verma was the biggest heroine of this historic victory.
Only 21-year-old Shefali played an explosive inning of 87 runs on 78 balls in the final and then took two important wickets in the bowling as well. He says that a special reason behind this confidence and enthusiasm was a few seconds of conversation with Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
Those few seconds of conversation that changed the game
A few hours before the final, Shefali saw Sachin Tendulkar on the field and talked to him for a few moments. Shefali calls that conversation the turning point of her life. She said, “When I saw him (Sachin Tendulkar), a different enthusiasm came inside me. I kept talking to him and he kept giving me confidence. He is a master of cricket, and just looking at him inspires me.”
Shefali shines in the final
Shefali started India’s innings in a stormy manner. She along with Smriti Mandhana (45 runs) and Jemimah Rodrigues (24 runs) gave a strong start to India. There was a flurry of fours and sixes in Shefali’s innings, which broke the morale of the South African bowlers. Batting first, India scored a huge score of 298/7, in which Shefali’s contribution was most important.
Smiling, Shefali further said, “Just by seeing Sachin sir before the match, I was convinced that I can do something special today.”
Harmanpreet’s ‘gut feeling’ changed the game
When the South African team had a hold on the match, then captain Harmanpreet Kaur handed the ball to Shefali and from here the game changed. Shefali turned the match towards India by taking two wickets in two consecutive balls.
Harmanpreet later said, “It was a gut feeling. I thought it might be a little risky, but I had confidence in him. When I handed him the ball and he took two wickets in a row, from there the match completely went in our favor.”
Story from struggle to peak
Last year, Shefali was dropped from the Indian team. Poor form and lack of confidence denied him a place in the team. When Shefali got a chance after the injury of opener Pratika Raval in the World Cup, she took full advantage of this opportunity.
An emotional Shefali dedicated the victory to her teammates and senior players. She said, “I am very happy that we have finally won the World Cup. It cannot be expressed in words. It was not easy, but I had faith in myself that if I stay calm, everything is possible.”