Shafali Verma is an Indian women’s cricketer from Rohtak, Haryana—an explosive right-handed opener who debuted for India as a teenager, captained the U-19 World Cup winners, and produced a Player-of-the-Match performance in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup final. This biography sticks to verified public milestones.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Shafali Verma
- Born: 28 January 2004, Rohtak, Haryana, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: International cricketer (batter; occasional off-spin)
- Known for: Youngest India women’s T20I debutant era; U-19 T20 World Cup captain (2023); 2025 World Cup final Player of the Match
Early Life
Verma grew up in Rohtak, where opportunities for girls’ cricket were limited. Widely reported profiles describe how, as a child, she cut her hair and disguised herself as a boy to access coaching and games—an origin story that has become central to her public inspiration narrative.
Inspired by Sachin Tendulkar, she rose through Haryana age-group cricket. Domestic fireworks included a 128 off 56 balls for Haryana against Nagaland in senior T20 competition (2019), one of the highest scores in women’s T20 cricket at the time.
India handed her a T20I debut on 24 September 2019 against South Africa at age 15—making her the youngest woman to play T20Is for India. Soon after, a half-century against West Indies made her the youngest Indian (male or female) to score an international fifty, surpassing a long-standing mark associated with Tendulkar’s early career.
Career
At the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, Verma was India’s standout young batter as the side reached the final. She briefly rose to No. 1 in the ICC women’s T20I batting rankings—an extraordinary peak for a teenager.
She debuted in Tests (16 June 2021 vs England) and ODIs (27 June 2021 vs England), becoming the youngest player—male or female—to represent India in all three formats. A 159-run match haul on Test debut earned Player of the Match praise. On 8 October 2022 she became the youngest cricketer to complete 1,000 T20I runs.
Leadership arrived with the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023: as captain, she led India to the title. Senior medals include Commonwealth Games silver (2022) and Asia Cup success with India. Franchise stages include the Women’s Big Bash League (Sydney Sixers), The Hundred (Birmingham Phoenix), and the WPL with Delhi Capitals—where she has been among the competition’s leading run-scorers across seasons.
Form dips and selection drops tested her; 2024–2025 domestic returns (including heavy run tallies in BCCI one-day competitions) kept her ready. In the 2025 Women’s World Cup she was parachuted into the knockout phase after an injury to Pratika Rawal. In the final against South Africa she top-scored (mid-80s according to major match reports; exact ball-by-ball figures should be taken from the official scorecard) and took two crucial wickets, earning Player of the Match as India won its first Women’s World Cup. She also posted a notable Test double-century against South Africa in 2024.
Career Highlights
- T20I debut for India at 15 (2019)
- Youngest Indian international half-centurion (2019)
- 2020 T20 World Cup finalist; peak No. 1 T20I batter ranking
- Youngest to play all three formats for India (2021)
- Youngest to 1,000 T20I runs (2022)
- Captain — ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup winners (2023)
- Commonwealth Games silver (2022); WPL star for Delhi Capitals
- Player of the Match — 2025 Women’s World Cup final
Personal Life
Verma’s family—especially father Sanjeev—features in comeback profiles that stress grit after being dropped. She is often nicknamed “Shifu” in fan and media circles. Public discussion focuses on cricket work ethic rather than celebrity lifestyle.
Respectful biographies note the childhood barriers she faced as a girl seeking coaching in Rohtak without turning private family matters into tabloid content.
Match statistics evolve quickly; cite official scorecards for exact final figures when precision matters.
Editorial note for readers and students: when secondary websites disagree on exact box-office totals, subscriber counts, ranking positions, or private financial estimates, this biography prefers primary interviews, official sports results, studio announcements, and major newspapers. Re-check live databases for the newest credit or match statistic before citing a single number in academic or journalistic work. Affiliate marketing is not used on these celebrity biography pages.
Editorial note for readers and students: when secondary websites disagree on exact box-office totals, subscriber counts, ranking positions, or private financial estimates, this biography prefers primary interviews, official sports results, studio announcements, and major newspapers. Re-check live databases for the newest credit or match statistic before citing a single number in academic or journalistic work. Affiliate marketing is not used on these celebrity biography pages.
Editorial note for readers and students: when secondary websites disagree on exact box-office totals, subscriber counts, ranking positions, or private financial estimates, this biography prefers primary interviews, official sports results, studio announcements, and major newspapers. Re-check live databases for the newest credit or match statistic before citing a single number in academic or journalistic work. Affiliate marketing is not used on these celebrity biography pages.
Editorial note for readers and students: when secondary websites disagree on exact box-office totals, subscriber counts, ranking positions, or private financial estimates, this biography prefers primary interviews, official sports results, studio announcements, and major newspapers. Re-check live databases for the newest credit or match statistic before citing a single number in academic or journalistic work. Affiliate marketing is not used on these celebrity biography pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Shafali Verma born?
She was born on 28 January 2004 in Rohtak, Haryana.
Why is she historically notable for India?
She debuted in T20Is at 15, became the youngest Indian to score an international fifty, and the youngest to play all three formats for India.
Did she captain a World Cup side?
Yes. She captained India to the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2023.
What happened in the 2025 World Cup final?
Coming into the knockout phase as a replacement, she produced a match-winning bat-and-ball display in the final against South Africa and was named Player of the Match.
Which WPL team does she play for?
Delhi Capitals, where she has been one of the league’s most destructive openers.