Shafali Varma

Shafali Verma is a fearless right-handed opening batter who has changed the way women’s cricket is viewed in India. At just 15, she became the youngest player to represent India in a T20 International, setting the foundation for a remarkable career defined by bold stroke play and confidence beyond her years.

Shafali grew up in a town with limited options for girls in sports. Determined to play cricket, she cut her hair short and trained at a boys’ academy under disguise, a story that reflects her determination from an early age.

Her international debut came in 2019, followed by an immediate impact when she became the youngest Indian, male or female, to score an international half-century. Her attacking style drew comparisons to her cricketing idol, Virender Sehwag.

In 2020, she emerged as India’s top batter at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and reached the No. 1 position in the ICC T20I batters rankings. Three years later, she led India’s Under-19 team to victory in the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, showing her leadership at a young age. In 2024, she recorded a Test double-century against South Africa, the fastest in women’s cricket history, adding another major record to her career.

Her defining moment came in 2025, during India’s maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup win. After being left out of the initial squad, she was called up as a late replacement before the semifinals. In the final against South Africa, she delivered an outstanding all-round performance, scoring 87 runs and taking two wickets to help India secure the title.

Her performance earned her the Player of the Match award and affirmed her place among the most impactful players in the game. Shafali has also played for top international leagues, representing Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League, Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, and Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League.