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Shafali Verma created history during the ICC Women's World Cup final between India and South Africa at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium on Sunday (November 2) with a knock of 87 runs in just 78 balls to give the Women in Blue a quick start after Laura Wolvaart won the toss and chose to bowl first following a two-hour rain delay. The 21-year-old completed an incredible redemption story in the biggest match in Indian women's cricket history by putting up a 104-run stand with Smriti Mandhana. Shafali, who was not part of the squad till six days before an injury to Pratika Rawal led to her comeback, hit seven boundaries and two sixes in her knock, which came at a strike-rate of 111.54. Shafali Verma Creates History Through the course of her incredible knock, Shafali became the youngest player ever to score a half-century in the history of the ODI World Cup (either men or women). The previous youngest Australian was Jess Duffin in 2013, while the youngest male player was Virender Sehwag in the 2003 summit clash between India and Australia. Shafali also broke Sehwag's record for being the youngest Indian player to score a 50+ score in the mega event's final. Youngest ODI World Cup Half-Centurions Final (Male Or Female) PlayerAgeScoreYear (Men/Women)OpponentVenueShafali Verma (India)21 Years, 278 Days872025 Women's World CupSouth AfricaNavi MumbaiJess Duffin (Australia)23 Years, 325 Days752013 Women's World Cup West IndiesMumbai (Brabourne)Virender Sehwag (India)24 Years, 154 Days822003 Men's World CupAustraliaJohannesburgNat Sciver-Brunt (England)24 Years, 337 Days512017 Women's World CupIndiaLord'sLisa Sthalekar (Australia)25 Years, 240 Days552005 Women's World CupIndiaCenturionSteve Smith (Australia)25 Years, 300 Days562015 Men's World Cup New ZealandMCGThe previous record for the youngest Indian woman to score a half-century in a women's World Cup final was Punam Raut in 2017. Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur Equals Unwanted 43-Year-Old Record; Becomes First Captain In World During 21st Century To... Meanwhile, Shafali's knock of 87 is the highest score by an Indian opener (men or women) in an ODI World Cup final breaking Raut's tally of 86, while Sehwag is now a close third (82). Shafali's innings is the third-highest individual score in an ODI World Cup by an Indian player behind Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91) in the 2011 Men's World Cup against Sri Lanka at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.
