India’s star opener Pratika Rawal has spoken with admiration and pride about Shafali Verma’s stunning performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final, where India lifted their maiden World Cup title after defeating South Africa by 52 runs. Despite missing out on playing the knockout stages due to an unfortunate injury, Pratika expressed nothing but joy for Shafali’s success and India’s historic triumph.

Interestingly, Shafali wasn’t part of India’s original squad or even among the reserves at the start of the tournament. However, fate took a turn when Pratika sustained an ankle and calf injury during India’s group match against Bangladesh, forcing her out of the competition. The team management turned to Shafali as her replacement — a decision that ultimately proved to be a masterstroke.

Shafali Verma’s redemption arc and match-winning display

Thrown into the deep end, Shafali made her return in the high-pressure semifinal against Australia but managed only 10 runs before falling to Kim Garth. Yet, she rose to the occasion when it mattered most — the grand finale. In a performance for the ages, the young opener smashed a fluent 87 off 93 balls and later chipped in with the crucial wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp, steering India to their first-ever Women’s World Cup title.

Her all-round brilliance not only turned the tide in India’s favor but also showcased her mental resilience and match temperament. Fans and former cricketers hailed her as the “game-changer of the final,” a title well-deserved for the 21-year-old who made a remarkable comeback.

Pratika Rawal’s heartfelt admiration for Shafali

Speaking to India Today, Pratika recalled her early encounters with Shafali during domestic cricket and praised her for staying grounded despite the spotlight.

“I have immense respect for Shafali. I remember playing a domestic match against Haryana – she scored a hundred, and I was leading the opposition side. From that day onwards, I’ve admired her a lot. What she did for our team was incredible,” Pratika said.

She further applauded Shafali’s ability to handle pressure on the grandest stage and said: “It’s not easy to come into a semi-final with that kind of pressure, but she handled it beautifully. We all saw how well she played in the final too. Her innings gave us the platform, and her wickets sealed the deal.”

Also READ: ICC announces Women’s World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament, Laura Wolvaardt to lead

Pratika’s impressive campaign in the multi-team event

Before her injury, Pratika had been one of India’s most consistent performers in the tournament. She accumulated 308 runs in seven matches at an impressive average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77. Her standout performance came against New Zealand, where she scored a magnificent 122, helping India recover from a rough patch after three successive defeats to South Africa, England, and Australia.

Though injury cut short her campaign, Pratika’s graceful acknowledgment of Shafali’s contribution reflected true sportsmanship. For both players, the 2025 World Cup will remain a career-defining chapter — one for her consistency and leadership, and the other for her heroics in India’s most glorious moment.

Also READ: Harmanpreet Kaur’s heartfelt gesture: India captain touches coach Amol Muzumdar’s feet after Women’s World Cup triumph

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.