At just 16 years old, Deeya Yadav has shattered records, becoming the youngest player ever acquired in the Women’s Premier League auction. Delhi Capitals secured the talented Haryana batter for Rs 10 lakh. Yadav’s inclusion in the Delhi Capitals squad marks a significant moment, and she is eager to learn from and play alongside Indian opener Shafali Verma. The young cricketer has been on the radar due to impressive domestic performances, including a remarkable unbeaten 213 off 125 balls in an U15 competition. This explosive innings is considered a major turning point in her burgeoning career, propelling her into the national spotlight.
Verma, who has played alongside Yadav for Haryana for the past three years, welcomed her to the Delhi Capitals family via Instagram. Yadav acknowledges Verma’s influence, stating that playing with her has taught her aggressive batting techniques and effective pressure-handling skills. “She (Shafali) plays really well under pressure. I developed the intent of hitting when I started playing with her,” Yadav shared.
Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta confirmed the franchise had been monitoring Yadav’s progress for some time. “We have been tracking Deeya since she burst onto the U-15 circuit… Her range of shots and ball-striking ability, along with fearless approach, is what impressed our scouts,” Gupta explained. Yadav’s recent form, where she was Haryana’s second-highest scorer in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and contributed to North Zone’s Inter Zonal T20 campaign, solidifies the franchise’s decision. Her journey began in Pune, inspired by her father, a former Delhi Under-19 player, igniting her passion for the sport at a young age.