Team India's young opener Shefali Verma fulfilled her promise to her father by scoring a brilliant half-century in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup. Shefali, who was not selected in the World Cup squad, suddenly got a place in the squad before the semi-finals due to Pratika Rawal's injury. Although she failed in the semi-finals, the 21-year-old attacking batsman made a brilliant comeback in the final against South Africa, scoring a memorable half-century, becoming the youngest batsman to do so. However, Shefali missed the century and was dismissed for 87 runs.
Shefali Verma's Fifty
After losing the toss, Team India decided to bat first at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. A two-hour rain delay could have made it difficult to bat first, but Shefali disproved those fears as soon as he came to the crease. Shefali, who was dismissed for just 10 runs in the semi-final, batted aggressively this time, bringing up his half-century in just 49 balls.
Fifty in ODIs after three years
This half-century was very special for Shefali, as it took him three years to reach it. Shefali, who has struggled for consistency in ODI cricket, scored a half-century in the format after more than three years. His last half-century came in July 2022. Since then, Shefali has only reached 40 once, and even then, she was dismissed for 49 runs. But now, Shefali has finally broken this barrier. This was his fifth career half-century.
Youngest player to score a fifty in a final
With this half-century, Shefali became the youngest batsman (male or female) to score a half-century in the history of the World Cup Final. She set this world record at the age of just 21 years and 278 days. Additionally, she became only the third Indian opener to score a half-century in a World Cup final. Virender Sehwag first achieved this feat in the 2003 Men's World Cup. Subsequently, Poonam Raut also scored a half-century in the 2017 Women's World Cup. Now, Shefali's name has also been added to this list.
He fulfilled his promise to his father
However, Shefali was heartbroken when he was dismissed for 87 runs. In the 28th over of the innings, she was caught while trying to play a big shot off Ayabonga Khaka. He scored 87 runs off 78 balls including 7 fours and 2 sixes. Although she did not score a century, Shefali fulfilled her promise to her father. After being dismissed for just 10 runs in the semi-final, Shefali assured his father that he would play a big innings in the final, and the young batsman fulfilled his promise.
Also Read: IND vs AUS : Washington Sundar breaks Dhoni's sixes record, but Jitesh Sharma fails to complete his half-century!
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