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Picked as a replacement before the semi-final, Shafali produced a match-winning performance in the World Cup final

PTI09-Nov-2025Opener Shafali Verma on Sunday reflected on the challenges she faced over the past year, saying consistent hard work and focus helped her bounce back and play a key role in India’s historic World Cup win.Picked as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal, the 21-year-old was named Player of the Final for scoring 87 runs and taking 2 for 36 in India’s 52-run win over South Africa.”The last year was tough for me. I faced many struggles, but I kept working hard and was rewarded by God for my effort,” Shafali told reporters after a felicitation event in Rohtak, Haryana.Related

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Shafali was called into the Indian squad on the eve of the semi-final against Australia. Though she could not make a big impact in that match, she delivered in the final, guiding India to a commanding total and then contributing with the ball.”When I joined the team ahead of the semi-final, I was determined to contribute to the World Cup win,” she said. “The final is always a big stage. Initially, I was a bit nervous, but I calmed myself, focused on my strategy, and executed it well. That helped me deliver an all-round performance.”After returning to Rohtak, Shafali received a warm welcome from fans and local officials. Speaking to young girls in attendance, she encouraged them to stay focused on their goals.”They should always work hard in whatever field they choose and have self-belief, the results will follow,” she said.The Indian team made history by clinching their first global title, overcoming an inconsistent start to the tournament. India had lost three consecutive matches in the league stage before staging a turnaround in the knockouts.Shafali, who has often credited batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as her role model, also acknowledged her family’s constant support throughout her journey.Reflecting on the final, she said, “I tried to stay calm and execute my plans, and things went as expected. The only thought was that we had to give our all in those seven hours for our country.”She said she had no regrets about missing a century, adding that lifting the World Cup was more important.

For what was apparently the second time in his career, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw on Friday inadvertently timed the wind-up of his pitch with a group of fans doing the wave in the stands … though it would probably be more apt to say the crowd timed move to Kershaw's—not the other way around.

During the Dodgers' 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals, cameras caught a rapt group of spectators beginning "the wave" as Kershaw extended his arms in the air on the mound, preparing for his pitch. As a result of their smart timing, it looked as though Kershaw himself was participating in the crowd work … and not just, y'know, doing his job.

Watch that funny moment below:

Better yet, this isn't the first time Kershaw was in sync with some eager fans. According to MLB, it happened in 2022, as well, when the Dodgers were playing the San Diego Padres.

But as fun as Friday's antics were, they definitely should not dwarf a much more impressive milestone upon which the left-hander is rapidly approaching: he is now just eight strikeouts away from becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000 career K's. Going into Friday night's game, he was 12 away, but subtracted four from that total during the win.

The Dodgers win was the opener of a three-game series vs. the Nats. Washington will have the chance to even things up come Saturday night at 10:10 p.m. ET.