Shafali Verma in Rohtak on Sunday. (NOT a photo) NEW DELHI: India’s sensational opener Shafali Verma has opened up about the intense emotions and thought process that led to her match-winning run in the ICC Women’s World Cup final, saying she is determined to “keep calm and execute my plans” despite nerves on the big stage.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Speaking at a felicitation event in her native Rohtak on Sunday, the 21-year-old reflected on the journey that took her from a year of personal struggle to the pinnacle of world cricket.
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“The last year was very difficult for me. I faced a lot of problems but I continued to work extremely hard and God rewarded me for my efforts,” said Shafali.Shafali, who was picked as a replacement for the injured Pratik Rawal, grabbed her opportunity with both hands. Her all-round brilliance – 87 runs with the bat and 2/36 with the ball – earned her the Player of the Final award as India beat South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden ODI World Cup title in Navi Mumbai.
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Recalling her mindset in the title race, she said: “When I joined the team before the semi-finals, I was determined to contribute to winning the World Cup. The final is always a big stage. I was a bit nervous at first, but I calmed down, focused on my strategy and executed it well.”Shafali added that once she found her rhythm, she stopped thinking about milestones.“I don’t regret missing the century. The only thought was that we have to give everything for our country in those seven hours.”Fan Sachin Tendulkar, who received a hero’s welcome in Rohtak, credited the unwavering support of his family and urged the young girls to believe in themselves.“They should always work hard and have confidence. The results will come,” she said.The young star also shared that meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the triumph was deeply inspiring.“He spent almost two hours with us and motivated everyone. It was very special,” she said.
