“Those Two Nights Were Dangerous for Me”: World Cup Winner Shefali Verma Offers Thanks to Family Deity

Bharod, Rajasthan: Shefali Verma, the stormy opener and ‘Player of the Match’ in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final, paid homage to her family deity Mansha Mata at her temple in Dahmi village, Kotputli-Bharod, Rajasthan. After the historic win, Shefali placed her medal at the deity’s feet and received blessings for continued success.

Struggles Behind the Glory

Speaking to the media, Shefali revealed the emotional turmoil she faced after being left out of the semifinals, describing it as “two dangerous nights” filled with self-doubt and questions. She said, “When I was sidelined in the semifinals, those two nights were extremely difficult for me. I kept asking myself many questions.” However, she returned stronger for the final, determined to perform exceptionally and secure a win for the team.

Fearless Batting and Individuality

On her signature fearless batting style, Shefali said it stems from prioritizing the team while taking calculated risks. “During batting, losing control is part of the game. There’s risk and reward—that’s how I stand out. My family taught me that if you want to be different, you must act differently,” she added.

Honored by Prime Minister

Following the World Cup triumph, Shefali and her team met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spent two hours with the team and encouraged them to continue their hard work. Shefali emphasized that the victory brought joy across India, attributing her personal success to Mansha Mata, whom she visits before every major tournament. She and her family offered a silver canopy, gold necklace, sari, and her medal at the temple as a mark of gratitude.

Thousands of villagers gathered at the temple to catch a glimpse of Shefali and take selfies, celebrating her remarkable achievement alongside her family and community.