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Life has a remarkable way of coming full circle, especially for those who dare to dream big. For Indian cricketing sensation Shafali Verma, that full circle moment arrived with a World Cup triumph, her idol Sachin Tendulkar watching proudly from the stands. It was a journey fueled by inspiration, perseverance, and a deep-seated desire to emulate the Master Blaster himself.
The Sachin Tendulkar Spark: A Childhood Dream
The year was 2013. A nine-year-old Shafali Verma, poster of Sachin Tendulkar in hand, convinced her father, Sanjeev Verma, to close his jewellery shop for four days. Her mission? To catch a glimpse of Sachin playing his last first-class match in Rohtak.
Sanjeev vividly remembers carrying his determined daughter on his shoulders so she could see her hero. “Jeena mushkil kar diya tha Sachin ko dekhne ke liye (She had made my life difficult just to see Sachin),” he recalled, smiling.
That match proved to be a turning point. After Sachin scored 79 not out, young Shafali declared, “Papa, enough with the tennis ball. Now I want to play with the leather ball like Sachin.” A star was born, and a dream ignited.
A Call to Destiny: Overcoming Obstacles
Shafali’s path to the World Cup final was anything but straightforward. She wasn’t even in the standby list for the tournament, initially playing for Haryana in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy.
Unexpected Opportunity
Her call-up came suddenly after in-form Pratika Rawal was ruled out due to injury during India’s last league match against Bangladesh. It was an opportunity Shafali was determined to seize.
Battling the Big-Match Nerves
Despite her natural confidence, nerves began to creep in as India reached the final. Shafali carried a history of final losses, including the U-19 World Cup final, three WPL finals with Delhi Capitals, the T20 World Cup final, and the Commonwealth Games final.
“Papa, darr lag raha hai, final mein record acha nahi hai mera (I’m scared, I don’t have a good record in finals),” she confessed to her father on the eve of the match, crying her heart out.
Father’s Unwavering Support
Sanjeev Verma, her constant support, reminded her of her incredible journey – from having her hair cut short like a boy to play cricket, to her struggles and triumphs. “I told her that her god, Sachin, would be watching the match. She calmed down, and the way she played was just mind-blowing,” he shared.
The Making of a Champion: Dedication and Transformation
Shafali’s journey is a testament to natural talent honed by relentless hard work and strategic improvements.
Talent Spotted Early
Ashwani Kumar, a former Haryana opener and Shafali’s coach for four years, recognized her potential early. “She was no match for the girls in my academy, so I made her play with the U-19 boys. She used to take those bowlers to the cleaners,” he observed, highlighting her natural, aggressive style.
The Fitness Revolution
Inconsistency had plagued Shafali, with fitness being a significant concern. Krushmi Chheda Pawar, a sports scientist and performance nutritionist, sheds light on her transformation:
- Shafali tirelessly worked on shedding extra kilos.
- She focused on overall fitness, including diet, nutrition, and strength training.
- She learned that nutrition is vital not just for weight loss but also for recovery.
- With experience, she embraced greater discipline in her regimen.
“She’s realised that nutrition isn’t just about losing weight, it’s also about recovery. With experience, she’s become more disciplined,” Krushmi stated, emphasizing Shafali’s maturity.
Refining the Game
Beyond fitness, Shafali meticulously worked on her technical game, especially strike rotation and bowling. Her WPL captain, Meg Lanning, advised her to stop playing cross-batted shots. Her coach, Mahipal Singh, also guided her to improve her batting stance for better perception of the ball.
“At Rohtak, we worked on her strike rotation, hit a boundary, then look for singles unless it’s in your arc. The results have started to show,” Mahipal noted, highlighting the nuanced improvements.
A Dream Realized: Tendulkar Watches His Disciple Shine
On that momentous Sunday in Navi Mumbai, at the DY Patil Stadium, Shafali’s efforts culminated in a spectacular performance. She scored a crucial 87 runs off 78 balls, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes, alongside running 37 singles and five twos. But she didn’t stop there.
Demonstrating her enhanced all-round game, she picked up two crucial wickets – Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp – effectively derailing South Africa’s chase and helping India secure the ICC Women’s World Cup trophy.
As the chants of “Shafali, Shafali” echoed, her father was transported back to 2013, remembering his daughter shouting “Sachiiin, Sachiiin” in Lahli. With Sachin Tendulkar watching from the stands, life truly had come full circle for Shafali.
“When I saw Sachin sir, I had an unbelievable feeling. I keep talking with him; he always gives me confidence. But I had goosebumps seeing him today,” Shafali expressed after the match.
Conclusion: The Future of Indian Cricket
At just 21, Shafali Verma has already achieved what many cricketers only dream of. Her journey from a young fan captivated by Sachin Tendulkar to a World Cup champion is a powerful narrative of inspiration, hard work, and overcoming adversity.
Her childhood dream of playing for her country for 20 years, sparked by watching Sachin, remains very much alive. With her enhanced fitness, refined technique, and the continued inspiration of her idol, Shafali Verma is poised to be a dominant force in Indian women’s cricket for years to come, now hearing her own name chanted alongside that of the legend.
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