Indian opener Shafali Verma etched her name into history on Sunday, November 2, by recording the highest-ever individual score by an opening batter in a World Cup final, men’s or women’s, ODI or T20I, for India. The previous record was held by Punam Raut, who scored a steady 86 against England in the 2017 Women’s World Cup final in Derby, followed by former men’s opener Virender Sehwag’s 82 in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia.
Overall, in ICC tournament finals, Sourav Ganguly’s 117 in the 2000 Champions Trophy final remains the highest score by an Indian. However, the fact that no Indian had crossed 86 in a World Cup final before highlights how difficult the feat is. Unlike Raut, Shafali did not play the anchor’s role, instead, she attacked from the outset. Her blistering innings came off just 78 balls at a strike rate of 111.54, featuring seven fours and two sixes.
Playing only her second ODI after coming in as an emergency replacement for Pratika Rawal before the semi-final, Shafali took the attack to South Africa in the biggest match of her young career. Her knock, combined with a solid start from Smriti Mandhana (45), powered India to 298/7. The duo added 104 runs for the opening wicket before the hosts lost momentum in the middle overs.
Jemimah Rodrigues (24) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20) fell cheaply, but Deepti Sharma (54) and Richa Ghosh (34) revived the innings with a brisk 47-run stand. South Africa’s bowlers, however, fought back strongly on a slowing surface that began to assist spin after a rain delay. Ayabonga Khaka (3/58) led the charge with the ball. Mandhana capped off a record-breaking campaign with 434 runs, but India’s late collapse denied them a 300-plus total.
Highest scores by Indian openers in World Cup finals
| Player | Score | Match |
| Shafali Varma | 87 | 2025 Women's World Cup |
| Punam Raut | 86 | 2017 Women's World Cup |
| Virender Sehwag | 82 | 2003 Men's World Cup |
| Virat Kohli | 76 | 2024 Men's T20 World Cup |
| Gautam Gambhir | 75 | 2007 Men's T20 World Cup |
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