History was made at the Women’s Premier League auction as 16-year-old Deeya Yadav was picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 10 lakh, making her the youngest cricketer to be bought in the league’s history. The rising star from Haryana, a top-order batter, is set to share the dressing room with her idol, Shafali Verma. Yadav’s talent has been evident through her stellar domestic performances, most notably a spectacular 213 not out in the U15 circuit. This phenomenal knock was instrumental in bringing her to the attention of WPL franchises.
Shafali Verma, a key player for Delhi Capitals and the Indian national team, shared her excitement on Instagram, welcoming Yadav to the team. The two cricketers have a history of playing together for Haryana over the last three seasons, a period during which Yadav has absorbed valuable lessons about high-octane batting and maintaining composure under duress from Verma. “I always learn how to be aggressive during batting and how to handle pressure situations,” Yadav remarked.
The franchise’s scouting department had its eye on Yadav for a while. According to Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta, the team was impressed by her performances in U15 tournaments and the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. “She has taken her transition from age-group to senior cricket like fish to water. Her range of shots and ball-striking ability, along with fearless approach, is what impressed our scouts,” Gupta stated. Yadav’s recent contributions, including being Haryana’s second-leading scorer in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and her role in the North Zone’s Inter Zonal T20 campaign, have validated the team’s investment. Her cricketing journey started at age six in Pune, inspired by her father’s past as a Delhi Under-19 player.