Shafali Verma Becomes Youngest Indian Cricketer To Make T20I Debut

Verma earned the maiden India call-up following an astounding domestic season where she amassed 1923 runs including six tons and three half-centuries

Opening batswoman Shafali Verma became the youngest Indian cricketer to make debut in T20Is on Tuesday. She received her debut cap ahead of the first T20I clash against South Africa Women at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat. Verma earned the maiden India call-up following an astounding domestic season where she amassed 1923 runs including six tons and three half-centuries.

What a moment this is for the hard-hitting batter Shafali Verma, who makes her India debut today. She is only 15! 😊💪🏾#INDWvsSAW pic.twitter.com/nD0C6ApQld

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 24, 2019

Making debut at an age 15years and 239 days, Verma is now the second-youngest Indian cricketer to play at international level. Gargi Banerji remains at the top who donned the Indian jersey for the first time when she was 14 years 165 days old. She made her debut against England back in 1978. Despite making the headlines, Verma’s international debut was shortlived as she was dismissed for a duck by pacer Shabnim Ismail.

Youngest player on T20I debut for India: 15y 239d Shafali Verma v SA today 👈 16y 204d Sneha Deepthi v BAN, 2013 16y 261d Smriti Mandhana v BAN, 2013 17y 109d Devika Vaidya v SA, 2014 17y 157d Latika Kumari v ENG, 2009 #INDvSA

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 24, 2019

The rise of Shafali Verma is no less than a movie plot. She picked up the bat for the first time when she was just 10. A glimpse of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar inspired her to take up cricket. “Jitne log Sachin sir ko andar dekhne ke liye khade the, utne hee bahar the (There were as many people outside the stadium as inside to get a glimpse of Tendulkar. Only then I realised how big a deal is to be a cricketer in India, especially when you are revered like Sachin sir,” Shafali told PTI. “I was expecting this call-up to be honest. I had done well in domestic cricket and also in that big tournament in Jaipur. The recent camp at NCA also went well for me. So, yes I was hopeful,” Shafali added.