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Rohtak stops for its queen as Shafali Verma gets emotional welcome after World Cup glory

Akshita Patel

Shafali Verma gets heroic welcome [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Shafali Verma gets heroic welcome [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Rohtak came to a standstill on Sunday, not for a rally, not for a politician, but for a 21-year-old cricketer who had just made India proud on the world stage. As World Cup winner Shafali Verma returned home, her city celebrated like never before. 

The sound of dhols filled the air, tricolours waved from every shopfront, and flower petals rained down on her car as she waved from the sunroof, smiling and joining her hands in a humble namaste.

Shafali Verma returns home to a heroic welcome

It was a sight Rohtak would remember for years, as their very own Shafali, now a global star, was returning as a hero. After formal visits to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and President, this was the homecoming that mattered most. 

From the Rohad toll plaza to the Circuit House, people lined up on both sides of the road chanting, “India! India!” and “Rohtak ki shaan Shafali!”

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At the Circuit House, Haryana minister Krishan Kumar Bedi honoured her with a bright turban, a shawl, and a memento. 

The World Cup trophy wasn’t physically present, but the pride in the room was unmistakable. For a girl who once dodged bikes in the narrow lanes of Rohtak to find a patch of ground to play on, this moment was pure triumph.

Shafali's life comes full circle at Rohtak

Her journey began years ago, when a nine-year-old Shafali Verma watched Sachin Tendulkar play his final Ranji match at Lahli Stadium. 

That day, she decided she wanted to make people hold their breath for her batting, too. But Rohtak wasn’t ready for a girl cricketer then. 

Her father, Sanjeev Verma, had to disguise her as a boy so she could play in local matches. Soon, her talent became impossible to ignore.

Indeed, Shafali has lived a dream that started on dusty streets. Her match-winning 87 and two wickets in the 2025 World Cup final against South Africa made her the Player of the Match and a national hero overnight.

Despite not being picked initially for the World Cup squad, she got an opportunity as an injury replacement, and Shafali Verma made sure to make this chance count and eventually emerged as an overnight hero.