In a fitting tribute to her explosive batting and all-round prowess, 22-year-old Haryana skipper Shafali Verma was awarded the prestigious Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Senior Domestic One Day) at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 on March 15.
The dynamic opening batter’s stellar 2024-25 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy campaign, where she amassed 527 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 152.31 and an average of 75.28, including two half-centuries and two centuries, propelled her side while also chipping in with 8 wickets at an average of 33.62 and an economy of 4.84.
Shafali Verma’s tournament exploits were nothing short of spectacular, headlined by her breathtaking 197 off 115 balls against Bengal in the Rajkot quarter-final on December 23, 2024. Opening alongside Reema Sisodia, she unleashed 22 boundaries and 11 sixes, powering Haryana to 389/5 in 50 overs.
Though Bengal scripted a thrilling 5-wicket victory with five balls to spare, marking the highest successful chase in women’s List A cricket (eclipsing Northern Districts’ 309 against Canterbury in 2019), Shafali’s blitz underscored her game-changing intent. She had kicked off the tournament with a fiery 139 off 98 balls against Uttar Pradesh, before her 2nd ton of that edition came in the quarter final.
These domestic fireworks earned her a dramatic wildcard entry into India’s squad for the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup (September 30 to November 2, 2025, hosted by India and partly Sri Lanka). Replacing injured Pratika Rawal ahead of the semi-finals, despite not being in the original squad or reserves, Shafali delivered 97 runs across matches at a strike rate of 116.86 and an average of 48.50.
Her pinnacle came in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, where she smashed 87 off 78 balls, opening with Smriti Mandhana, setting up India’s 52-run triumph over Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa. Under skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar, India clinched their maiden senior-level ICC title.
Shafali’s dual-threat mastery, from Haryana’s helm to World Cup saviour, signals a bright future for Indian women’s cricket, blending fearless aggression with leadership poise.
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