Shafali Verma joins Gambhir & Dhoni’s league after splendid knock in Women’s World Cup Final

Shafali Verma made her highest individual ODI score during the India vs South Africa Final in Navi Mumbai.

Shafali Verma fell short of her maiden ODI hundred in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup Final against South Africa but gave India a splendid start. Her 87-run knock came at a rapid pace. But it wasn’t the fours and sixes that were the best part. It was her control, clarity, and execution.

Shafali Verma’s masterful innings

Unlike her old self, Shafali was more patient. She waited for bad balls and good matchups. Her approach gave Smriti Mandhana ample time to settle down as both stitched a 104-run opening stand at the DY Patil Cricket Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

However, fatigue came in Shafali’s way. After scoring her fifty, she was battling cramps and was unable to run. This prompted the opener to go for her shots and perish in the 28th over in the process. She was just 13 runs away from what would have been the first hundred for India, man or woman, in an ICC ODI World Cup Final.

But Shafali’s effort was enough for her to record the highest-ever individual score for a woman cricketer in an ODI World Cup Final. Punam Raut held the record until now, but now, it belongs to her. But it wasn’t just that. Shafali also came close to breaking the men’s record held by Gautam Gambhir.

Highest Score for India in an ICC ODI World Cup Final

• 97 – Gautam Gambhir (2011 Men’s ODI World Cup)
• 91* – MS Dhoni (2011 Men’s ODI World Cup)
• 87 – Shafali Verma (2025 Women’s ODI World Cup)
• 86 – Punam Raut (2017 Women’s ODI World Cup)
• 82 – Virender Sehwag (2003 Men’s ODI World Cup)