Anjum didi

ODI World Cup: India opener Shafali Verma has described her return to the national set-up ahead of the semi-final against Australia in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup as one of the most emotional moments of her career coming after spending a year on the sidelines, saying it "felt like god noticed my hard work."

Shafali, who replaced the injured Pratika Rawal just ahead of the semi-final against Australia, made only 10 runs in the clash which India eventually won by five wickets by chasing down a record 339.

But Shafali seized her opportunity with a match-winning performance in the final against South Africa. Opening the innings alongside Smriti Mandhana, she smashed 87 off 78 balls to help India post a formidable 298 and then picked 2-36 with the ball to ensure the hosts’ lifted their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title.