Shafali Verma’s incredible knock of 197 runs was one of the highlights of the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, but despite her sensational effort, it was Bengal who emerged victorious, defeating Haryana by five wickets in a thrilling quarter-final. Verma’s spectacular performance, which included 22 boundaries and 11 sixes, set a daunting target of 390 for Bengal, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to secure the win for Haryana. This match not only highlighted Verma’s individual brilliance but also underscored the thrilling nature of women’s domestic cricket, where big totals and chase successes continue to captivate fans.
Verma, who has been one of the most explosive young talents in Indian cricket, showcased her immense power and finesse. Her innings was a combination of controlled aggression and strategic stroke play, as she took on the Bengal bowlers with aplomb. The 197 runs she scored came off just 115 balls, making it one of the highest individual scores in women’s List-A cricket. Her innings included a barrage of boundaries and sixes, a true reflection of her ability to dominate bowling attacks. Her 197 was her second century in the ongoing tournament, following a superb 139 in an earlier match against Uttar Pradesh. With such form, Verma has firmly established herself as one of the top young players in Indian cricket.
Despite the exceptional performance from their star batter, Haryana’s total of 389 runs proved insufficient, thanks to Bengal’s record-breaking chase. Bengal, led by a determined all-round performance, achieved the highest-ever successful run chase in women’s List-A cricket history, surpassing the previous record of 309 set by Northern Districts in 2019. Bengal’s chase was no less than extraordinary, as they managed to overhaul the huge target with five balls to spare, thanks to an outstanding 113-run knock from Tanushree Sarkar.
Shafali Verma’s innings, while memorable, was overshadowed by the collective effort of the Bengal team. However, her performance did not go unnoticed, and her fearless approach to batting continues to inspire budding cricketers across the nation. The sheer dominance displayed by Verma in a high-pressure game showed her maturity as a batter. With a bright future ahead, Verma is undoubtedly a player to watch as she continues to break records and lead the way for Indian women’s cricket.