Shafali Verma

Shafali Verma
Full name	Shafali Verma
Born	28 January 2004 Rohtak, Haryana, India
Nationality	Indian
Role	Opening batter
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm off break
Teams	India, Haryana, Delhi Capitals

Shafali Verma (born 28 January 2004) is an Indian women’s international cricketer who plays as a right-handed opening batter. Renowned for her fearless power-hitting and aggressive intent, she is widely regarded as one of the most influential batters of the modern era and was a key contributor to India’s 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory.

Early Life and Background

Shafali Verma was born in Rohtak, Haryana, into a middle-class family. Her father, Sanjeev Verma, ran a small jewellery business and played a central role in nurturing her cricketing ambitions, while her mother, Parveen Bala, provided consistent support at home. Inspired by watching Sachin Tendulkar bat, Shafali began playing cricket at the age of eight.

Due to limited opportunities for girls in local academies, she initially trained alongside boys and, for a period, even cut her hair short to gain entry into formal coaching setups. Her raw hitting ability and confidence quickly set her apart, allowing her to progress through age-group cricket despite social resistance and limited resources.

Domestic Career

Shafali represented Haryana in domestic cricket at a young age and soon established herself as one of the most destructive batters in India’s junior circuit. Her performances in domestic one-day and T20 competitions highlighted her ability to score quickly against both pace and spin, earning her early national selection.

International Career

Shafali Verma made her Women’s T20 International debut in September 2019 at the age of 15, becoming the youngest Indian to play T20I cricket. She announced her arrival by scoring a rapid half-century against the West Indies, also becoming the youngest Indian to register an international fifty. Her performances in that series earned her the Player of the Series award.

In 2020, she rose to the No. 1 position in the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings. Later that year, she featured in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, cementing her reputation as one of the most dangerous opening batters in world cricket.

Her Test debut came in June 2021 against England, where she scored 96 and 63 in the match, earning Player of the Match honors. In 2024, she recorded a historic double century, scoring 205 against South Africa — the fastest Women’s Test double century by an Indian batter.

Women’s Premier League and Overseas Leagues

Shafali Verma was signed by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore in the inaugural Women’s Premier League. She has remained a core player for the franchise, providing explosive starts at the top of the order.

She has also represented Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League, gaining valuable experience in overseas conditions.

2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup

Shafali played a decisive role in India’s historic 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup triumph. Returning to the playing XI during the knockout stages, she delivered match-winning performances, including a crucial 84-run innings in the final against South Africa.

Her all-round contribution in the final earned her the Player of the Match award and reinforced her reputation as a big-match performer.

Playing Style

Shafali Verma is known for her aggressive, front-foot-dominant batting style and ability to clear the boundary with ease. Her fearlessness at the top of the order has redefined India’s approach to powerplay batting in women’s cricket. She also contributes occasional off-spin and is an agile fielder.

Impact and Outlook

Despite her young age, Shafali Verma has already influenced a generational shift in Indian women’s cricket. Her success has inspired young players across the country and challenged traditional perceptions of risk-free batting in the women’s game.

As of late 2025, she remains a central figure in India’s plans across formats and is widely expected to play a leadership role in the coming years.