Copyright sportskeeda
Shafali Verma played a sensational knock in the ICC's Women's World Cup 2025 final against South Africa at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Called up to the squad for the knockouts after Pratika Rawal was ruled out due to injury, the 21-year-old grabbed her golden opportunity to smash 87 off 78 balls, a typically aggressive knock, which featured seven fours and two sixes. Sent into bat after losing the toss in the Women's World Cup final, the Women in Blue put up 298-7 on the board. Shafali and senior opener Smriti Mandhana (45 off 58) added 104 for the first wicket to get the hosts off to a great start in the final. Shafali also chipped in with two scalps and was named Player of the Match as Team India created history by lifting their maiden Women's World Cup title. Shafali has so been part of 31 one-day matches and has opened the innings in all of them. In this feature, we compare her stats with those of former Australian star Adam Gilchrist after the latter had also opened in 31 ODIs. Shafali Verma vs Adam Gilchrist - Who has more runs and a better average after 31 ODIs as opener? In 31 ODIs, Shafali has totaled 741 runs at an average of 24.70 and a strike rate of 86.46. The aggressive right-hander has scored 192 runs in five ODIs against South Africa at an average of 38.40. Further, she has hit 155 runs in three ODIs against Sri Lanka, averaging 77.50, 152 runs in eight matches against New Zealand (average 19) and 109 runs in six ODIs against Australia (average 18.16). After 31 ODIs as opener, Gilchrist had scored 1,238 runs at an average of 39.93 and a strike rate of 94.07. Of his runs, 385 came in five ODIs against Sri Lanka at an average of 77. The southpaw had also scored 257 runs in five matches against New Zealand (average 51.40), 190 runs in three ODIs against Pakistan (average 63.33) and 179 runs in seven ODIs against India (average 25.57). Shafali Verma vs Adam Gilchrist - Who has more 50-plus scores after 31 ODIs as opener? In 31 ODIs, Shafali has notched up five 50-plus scores. Her career-best ODI score is 87, which was registered in the Women's World Cup 2025 final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai recently. Of her five half-centuries, two have come against the Proteas and one each against Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. (Shafali vs Gilchrist - ODI stats comparison after 31 matches as opener) After 31 ODIs as opener, Gilchrist had seven 50-plus scores to his name - five hundreds and two half-centuries. His best at that stage was 154, which came against Sri Lanka in Melbourne in February 1999. Gilchrist had also slammed 131 off 118 against Sri Lanka in Sydney in January 1999. Of his other three tons, one each came against South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan. Shafali Verma vs Adam Gilchrist - Who has a better record in wins after 31 ODIs as opener? Shafali has featured in 18 one-dayers that India Women have won. In winning causes, she has contributed 484 runs, averaging 28.47 at a strike rate of 85.96. The youngster has slammed three fifties in wins. In 12 ODIs that India have lost, she has scored 253 runs at an average of 21.08 and a strike rate of 86.94, with two fifties. Further, Shafali has scored four runs in one game that ended in a tie. (Shafali vs Gilchrist - ODI stats comparison in wins after 31 matches as opener) Of his first 31 ODIs as opener, Gilchrist was part of 21 matches that Australia won. In winning causes, he scored 963 runs at an average of 45.85 and a strike rate of 95.15. All his five hundreds at that stage came in wins. In 10 ODIs that Australia lost, he scored 275 runs at an average of 27.50 and a strike rate of 90.46, with a best score of 61. Shafali Verma vs Rohit Sharma - Who has a better record in chases after 31 ODIs as opener? In 13 ODIs in chases, Shafali has scored 265 runs at an average of 22.08 and a strike rate of 79.57, with two half-centuries. Batting first, she has 476 runs in 18 matches, averaging 26.44 at a strike rate of 90.83, with three fifties. (Shafali vs Gilchrist - ODI stats comparison in chases after 31 matches as opener) In 15 ODIs in chases, Gilchrist had 759 runs at an average of 50.60 and a strike rate of 94.52, with four hundreds and two half-centuries to his name. Batting first, the former Aussie opener had 479 runs in 16 ODIs, averaging 29.93 at a strike rate of 93.37, with the aid of one century.
