India had ended their 28-year wait for a World Cup under the guidance of Sachin Tendulkar in 2011, when they won their second title. Tendulkar was also the highest run-scorer of that tournament. Though he has since retired and is not involved in coaching, his influence has once again played a role — this time in India’s Women’s World Cup triumph.
India’s young opener Shafali Verma revealed this herself. She said that meeting the cricket legend before the World Cup final gave her tremendous confidence. That inspiration, she added, helped her play a superb innings against South Africa in the final.
After being dropped from the team last year, this tournament marked a kind of comeback for Shafali. In the semifinal against Australia, she scored only 10 runs, but in the final, she shone brilliantly.
After the match, Shafali said,
“When I saw him (Sachin Tendulkar), I felt a strange kind of energy within me. While I was talking to him, he kept encouraging me and giving me confidence. He’s the master of cricket — just seeing him is inspiring.”
Shafali not only impressed with the bat but also with the ball. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur handed her a crucial over, and Shafali responded by taking two important wickets.
Harmanpreet said,
“I knew there was a risk, but after seeing her confidence, I felt it was the right decision. I didn’t want to regret later for not giving her a chance. When she took those two consecutive wickets, the whole game turned around.”
After the World Cup win, Shafali expressed her joy:
“I’m very happy. It’s hard to express this feeling in words. The journey was tough, but I always believed in myself. I knew that if I stayed calm, anything was possible. I just wanted to help my team win. My mind was clear, I stuck to my plan, and the seniors kept telling me to play my natural game. This is the most memorable moment of my life.”
