'God sent' Shafali is youngest POTM in Women's World Cup final history

India's win in Women's World Cup 2025 final over South Africa on Sunday (Nov 2) had very much to do with Shafali Verma's performance. The opener was not even in the original squad of the tournament before an injury to Pratika Rawal opened a door for her. Shafali played her first match of the tournament in the semi-final against Australia but was out cheaply. In the final though, she scored 85 and took two wickets - winning Player of the Match in the title clash. With the POTM trophy, she became youngest to achieve the milestone in ODI World Cup final.

Shafali youngest to get POTM in ODI WC Final

Verma, aged 21 years and 278 days, is the youngest to win the POTM trophy in ODI World Cup final, taking over the record from Australia's Jess Duffin who was aged 23 years and 235 days in 2013 Women's World Cup final for Australia against West Indies. Shafali is also the youngest to score a fifty in the ODI World Cup final men or women. Her 85 helped India get off to a great start as India posted 298 in the first innings and won the match by 52 runs.

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Shafali proved 'god sent her'

After being included in the squad before the semis, Shafali professed during a press conference that 'god has sent her for the something special' and she proved it albeit not in the semis. On the night of the final, Shafali was fluent with not only the bat but with the ball as well. Skipper Harman also revealed that she 'knew it was her (Shafali) day' and decided to give her the ball. Shafali obliged and picked up wickets of Sune Luus as well as dangerous Marizanne Kapp, proving her statement.