Meg Lanning, the former World Cup-winning Australian captain, has revealed that she was not taken aback by Shafali Verma’s explosive performance in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final. Lanning stated she had foreseen the difficulty of containing the young Indian opener, given her established aggressive style of play.
Coming into the team as a replacement for the injured Priya Punia, Shafali Verma seized her opportunity on the grandest stage. In the final against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium on November 2, she played a crucial innings of 87 runs off 78 balls, forging a strong opening partnership with Smriti Mandhana and setting the foundation for India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup triumph.
A Long-Standing Threat
“Shafali has been playing aggressive cricket for a number of years now,” Lanning remarked. “I watched a fair bit of her innings in the final… I thought then that she would be hard to stop.” This acknowledgment highlights the respect Verma commands from one of the game’s most successful leaders.
Praise for All-rounder Deepti Sharma
Lanning also reserved praise for Player of the Tournament, Deepti Sharma, noting her significant impact with both bat and ball. She emphasized that Sharma has become a key cricketer for the Indian team, crucial to their success.
FAQs on Shafali Verma World Cup final performance
Q1: What did Shafali Verma do in the World Cup final?
A1: Shafali Verma scored a critical 87 runs off 78 balls in the final, helping India win its first Women’s ODI World Cup.
Q2: Why wasn’t Meg Lanning surprised by Shafali’s performance?
A2: Lanning stated that given Shafali’s established aggressive style over several years, she expected her to be a difficult batter to contain.
Q3: Who else did Meg Lanning praise?
A3: Lanning also commended all-rounder Deepti Sharma, calling her a key player for India after her Player of the Tournament performance.
Conclusion on Shafali Verma World Cup final performance
The Shafali Verma World Cup final performance was a defining moment in Indian cricket history. Endorsement from a seasoned competitor like Meg Lanning not only validates her talent but also underscores the global recognition of her destructive capabilities at the top of the order.
Disclaimer: The quotes and opinions in this article are sourced from a public interview given by Meg Lanning. The facts are presented for informational purposes.
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