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IND W vs SA W | Twitter impressed as Harmanpreet uses Shafali Verma as surprise weapon to jolt Proteas

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ByVenkateswaran N, SportsCafe Editor

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Captains fall back to part-time bowlers to give them crucial breakthroughs and Shafali Verma did not disappoint during the Women’s ODI World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. The Indian opener gave instant rewards to Harmanpreet Kaur with two wickets to put the Proteas on the backfoot.

‌India put on a formidable 298/7 after being asked to bat by South Africa in the final of the Women’s ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma shone with the bat, scoring crucial half-centuries to power the hosts to a strong position at half-time.

Shafali top-scored for India with a 78-ball 87, including seven fours and two sixes, while Deepti made a run-a-ball 58 even as medium pacer Ayabonga Khaka finished with 3/58 in her nine-over spell.

In reply, the Proteas got off to a good start with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits adding 51 runs inside 10 overs. But after the loss of two quick wickets the Proteas recovered well again with the Proteas skipper Wolvaardt and Sune Luus adding another 50-plus partnership.

In an out-of-the-box move, captain Harmanpreet Kaur introduced part-timer Shafali into the attack with the hope of breaking the dangerous partnership. And the off-spinner did not disappoint as she sent back Luus after taking a soft caught and bowled chance in just her second ball.

She was not done yet as she dismissed big fish Marizanne Kapp in her next to reduce them to 123/4. It was a night where all that Shafali touched was turning into gold and Harmanpreet’s clever bowling change worked wonders for the side.

Twitter was impressed as Shafali, who had just one wicket in ODIs before this game, came to the party at the right time. By her admission, she was sent by god to play in the knockouts of the big-ticket event and she was putting that opportunity to full use, with bat and ball as well.

What a moment!

No wrong at all

Shifu strikes

Wow

Definitely

Unreal performance

Only 14 overs

Incredible

Good one

She meant it

 

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read previousICC T20 World Cup | England become first team to progress to semifinal with thrilling win over Pakistan
England beat Pakistan by two wickets in their second T20 World Cup Super-Eight game against Pakistan in Pallekele on Tuesday. Captain Harry Brook led from the front with a 51-ball century during the chase as England became the first side to punch their ticket to the semifinal of the tournament.
Women’s ODI World Cup Final | Twitter roars as Amandeep triggers Brits’ dismissal with brilliant effort read next
Fielding always lifts the side in make-or-break games, and Amandeep Kaur showed that with an excellent effort against South Africa in the final of the ODI World Cup in Navi Mumbai. The Indian all-rounder showed quick feet to pick up the ball and produced an accurate throw to dismiss Tazmin Brits.

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