India’s opening batter Shafali Verma created history in the Women’s World Cup final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. She hit 87 runs off 78 balls, becoming the highest scorer for India in a World Cup final, going past Punam Raut’s 86 from the 2017 final.

Her attacking start helped India put up a strong total of 298/7 against South Africa, with Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh also adding important runs.

Shafali was not part of India’s original squad for the tournament. She joined the team only after Pratika Rawal was ruled out due to an ankle injury before the semifinal.

Speaking before the semifinal, Shafali said, “Of course, what happened with Pratika as a sportsperson, seeing that does not feel good. No one wants any player to go through such an injury. But I believe God has sent me here to do something good. My father, my family -- everyone was very happy. I am also really happy to be back with the team. It is a very good opportunity for me, and if I get to play, I will give my best.”

In the semifinal against Australia, Shafali scored only 10 runs. But in the final, she turned the game around in a big way.

Shafali not only impressed with the bat, but also helped India with the ball. She took two important wickets, Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp, giving India key breakthroughs at crucial moments of the match.

Before returning for this World Cup, Shafali had last played an ODI for India in October last year. Her overall ODI record included 644 runs in 29 innings, averaging 23.00, with four fifties.

The player she replaced, Pratika Rawal, had been one of India’s top performers in the tournament, scoring 308 runs at an average of 51.33 before her injury.

Shafali, however, entered the World Cup with strong recent form in T20s and in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she scored 304 runs for Delhi Capitals at an average of 38.00.

Shafali’s performance in the final shows how a player can change the game when given a chance. Called in at the last moment, she not only gave India a powerful start but also stepped up with the ball when the team needed her most.

Her innings and her wickets will be remembered as one of the biggest highlights of India’s World Cup journey.