Shafali, 17, is the second youngest woman to hit a fifty on Test debut in the first innings and the youngest ever to hit a half-century in both innings of a Test match.
I'd like India to have extra bowling depth against Australia: Ian bishop
Malhotra said India will be strong contenders to land the title in the showpiece, citing the right blend of youth and experience in the Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad.
If the men of 1983 gave India a reason to dream, the women of 2025 could give it something rarer -- the courage to live that dream in full daylight, under an open sky that finally belongs to them, points out Prem Panicker.
Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, have been heavily reliant on Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who has been their standout performer.
Jemimah Rodrigues produced a sensational knock that included 14 fours as India pulled off the biggest successful chase in women's ODI history with nine balls to spare.
Venkatesh Prasad to contest for KSCA president's post, Kumble, Srinath back ex-India pacer's panel
India opener Smriti Mandhana said she was still struggling to process the magnitude of her team's achievement, calling it "unreal" after India claimed their maiden Women's World Cup title.
Australia expecting tough contest, under no illusions given India's depth of batting: Nitschke
Shafali Verma, the young Indian opener, stole the show on the opening day of the one-off women's Test against South Africa, smashing a record-breaking double century.
Women's cricket is no longer a career option, it would be a calling for the millions of girls, whose parents have remained sceptical about their daughters dreaming about wearing India Blues.
For India, the battle is no longer about proving skill or form, but about crossing the elusive final hurdle that has so often tripped them -- including in this very tournament.
Powered by the all-round brilliance of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, Mumbai Indians head into the Women's Premier League final as favorites to claim their second title, while Delhi Capitals hope to break their title jinx in what promises to be a thrilling showdown in Mumbai on Saturday.
Jemimah Rodrigues struck a sensational century as hosts India reached the ICC Women's World Cup Final with a magical run-chase against Australia
Shafali Verma (44) and Jess Jonassen's (61 not out) fireworks underlined Delhi Capitals' complete domination as they crushed Gujarat Giants by six wickets.
India beat Bangladesh by 59 runs in Women's Asia Cup
The Grade B has an annual retainer fee of Rs 30 lakh and veterans such as Jhulan Goswami, Mithali Raj and Deepti Sharma are among 10 players in this bracket.
Following their 60-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals skipper Meg Lanning lauded Shafali Verma and Tara Norris' stellar performances in their WPL opener.
Apart from Shafali's knock, Sixers skipper Ellyse Perry hit 27 runs off 33 balls as they reached 129 for five in 19.3 overs.
After being outplayed in the opener, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team roared back with a stunning 102-run victory, which was Australia's heaviest defeat in terms of runs. It was also India's first win over them in 12 matches.
For spin great Neetu David it was a culmination of a lifelong dream -- to see the India women's team finally end their wait for a World title.
India's star batter Shafali Verma revealed that she enjoys watching England's Liam Livingstone bat but her role model is the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
India took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, with the final game scheduled to be played in Birmingham on Saturday.
India women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, her deputy Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma were retained in Grade A, the highest category of central contracts offered by BCCI.
Shafali was presented with India Women's ODI cap number 131 from captain Mithali Raj
Fine half-centuries by Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav and Tanuja Kanwar propelled India A to a thrilling series-clinching two-wicket victory over Australia A, after Alyssa Healy's brilliant knock set the bar high for the visitors, in the second women's one-dayer, in Brisbane, on Friday.
Australia A bowlers, led by pace-bowling stalwart Kim Garth, wreaked havoc as India A suffered a demoralising 114-run defeat in the second unofficial T20I in Mackay as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Images from the Women's Premier League 2023 match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants played at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Saturday.
She achieved the feat in a T20I against West Indies at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.
Batting sensation Shafali Verma will chase history when she leads India against England in the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup final on Sunday.
India eye maiden women's T20I series win over England; hosts to miss injured skipper Brunt
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be determined to give their home fans a parting victory when they take on a fatigued Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru on Saturday, before the Women's Premier League moves to Lucknow for its third leg.
India surpassed that mark when Richa Ghosh hammered a four in the first ball of the 109th over bowled by Annerie Dercksen.
Delhi Capitals produced a splendid bowling effort before their batters, led by Niki Prasad, survived some anxious moments to register a narrow two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in a last-ball thriller in the Women's Premier League
Meg Lanning was awestruck seeing Shafali Verma's powerhitting
India's batting faltered at the death as England held their nerves to pull off a narrow five-run win in a thrilling third women's T20 International on Friday.
Images from the Women's T20 World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka in Dubai on Wednesday.
Set a target of 151 after opting to field, Velocity completed the chase with 10 balls to spare.
India opener Shafali admitted that Sri Lanka are no longer only dependent on their skipper Chamarai Athapaththu.
India inflicted a crushing 10-wicket defeat on South Africa in the one-off Women's Test in Chennai
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