India’s explosive opener, World Cup hero, and the youngest batter to reach No. 1 in ICC Women’s T20I Rankings — everything you need to know.
- Full Name: Shafali Verma
- Date of Birth: January 28, 2004
- Age (2026): 22 Years
- Birthplace: Rohtak, Haryana, India
- Role: Opening Batter / Part-time Spinner
- Batting Style: Right-Hand Bat
- Test Highest Score: 205* vs South Africa (2024)
- Debut: T20I – Sep 24, 2019 (vs South Africa)
- ICC Peak Ranking: No. 1 (Women’s T20I)
- WPL Team: Delhi Capitals
- World Cup 2025: Player of the Match (Final)
- Marital Status: Unmarried
Who Is Shafali Verma? A Complete Cricket Profile
Shafali Verma is one of the most electrifying batting talents to emerge in world cricket in recent years. Born on January 28, 2004, in Rohtak, Haryana, this right-handed opening batter has redefined aggressive batting for India Women’s cricket. At just 15 years of age, she became the youngest cricketer to debut in Women’s T20 Internationals for India, and her rise since then has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Known fondly by her teammates and fans as “Shifu”, Shafali Verma possesses the rare combination of raw power, instinctive timing, and fearless temperament at the top of the order. Whether it is smashing sixes in a T20I or posting a dominant double century in Test cricket, Shafali’s impact on every format is undeniable. Her story — from disguising herself as a boy to access cricket coaching facilities in Rohtak to winning India its maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup — is one of the most inspiring in modern Indian sport.
“From a small town in Haryana to the pinnacle of world cricket — Shafali Verma’s journey is proof that talent combined with determination can break every barrier.”
Shafali Verma — Personal & Professional Profile at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shafali Verma |
| Date of Birth | January 28, 2004 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 22 Years |
| Birthplace | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Batting Style | Right-Hand Bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Off Break |
| Playing Role | Opening Batter / Part-time Spinner |
| T20I Debut | September 24, 2019 vs South Africa |
| ODI Debut | June 27, 2021 vs England |
| Test Debut | June 16, 2021 vs England |
| Domestic Team | Haryana Women |
| WPL Franchise | Delhi Capitals |
| Cricket Coach | Ashwini Kumar |
| Father | Sanjeev Verma |
| Mother | Praveen Bala |
| Siblings | Sahil Verma (Brother), Nancy (Sister) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~₹12 Crore ($1.5 Million approx.) |
Early Life, Family Background & Cricket Origins
Shafali Verma grew up in a cricket-loving household in Rohtak. Her father, Sanjeev Verma, who runs a jewellery business, was himself denied the opportunity to pursue professional cricket due to family pressures. Determined that his daughter would not face the same fate, Sanjeev became Shafali’s earliest and most ardent supporter. Her mother Praveen Bala, brother Sahil Verma, and younger sister Nancy all share a love for the sport.
In a remarkable story that has since become legendary in Indian women’s cricket, the young Shafali cropped her hair short and disguised herself as a boy to gain entry into cricket academies in Rohtak, where facilities for girls were essentially non-existent. Her natural talent was spotted almost immediately, and once academies opened their doors to her, there was no looking back. She completed her schooling at Mandeep Senior Secondary School, Rohtak, and later pursued graduation from Rohtak University while managing a rigorous international cricket schedule.
The Road to International Cricket
Shafali first came to the national spotlight with standout performances in the Women’s T20 Challenge 2019 held in Jaipur. Her fearless hitting and ability to clear the boundary with ease caught the attention of selectors. Within months, she was handed her India debut — becoming the youngest cricketer to play a Women’s T20 International for India at just 15 years old, against South Africa in Surat on September 24, 2019.
Just a few months later, during a T20I series in the West Indies, Shafali etched her name in the record books again by becoming the youngest Indian batter to score an international fifty. She was awarded Player of the Series that tour, scoring 158 runs across five games — an announcement to the world that Indian women’s cricket had found a generational talent.
Shafali Verma Century & Highest Score — Record-Breaking Knocks
The story of Shafali Verma’s century is one of the most celebrated milestones in recent Indian cricketing history. While she narrowly missed out on a Test century on debut — scoring a brilliant 96 against England in Bristol in June 2021 — she more than made up for that heartbreak three years later in spectacular fashion.
Shafali Verma’s Test Double Century — The Historic 205*
On June 28, 2024, playing against South Africa in Chennai, Shafali Verma produced one of the greatest innings ever seen in Women’s Test cricket. She smashed her way to 205 runs off just 197 balls, becoming the holder of the fastest Women’s Test double century in cricket history. This was not just Shafali’s first international century — it was a double hundred, announced with the signature aggression that defines her batting. The knock included 75 boundaries and 14 sixes, and India won the Test comprehensively. This remains the Shafali Verma highest score in international cricket to date.
Highest Test Score: 205*
Highest T20I Score: 73
Highest ODI Score: 71
Test Centuries: 1 (Double!)
T20I 50s: 5
ODI 50s: 4
Near-Miss Century on Test Debut
Shafali Verma’s Test debut against England at Bristol in June 2021 is one of the most talked-about innings in women’s cricket. She made 96 in the first innings — just four runs short of a debut century — but the total across both innings of 159 runs made her the Player of the Match in her very first Test. The Test ended in a draw, but Shafali’s performance marked her arrival as a genuine all-format batter at the highest level.
Shafali Verma Complete Career Stats (All Formats)
Shafali Verma’s international career statistics across all three formats reflect not only her prolific run-scoring ability but also her utility as a part-time off-break bowler. The table below captures her complete batting and bowling record as of early 2026.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | 100s | 50s | Avg | SR | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 5 | 10 | 567 | 205* | 1 | 3 | 63.00 | 74.31 | 75 | 14 |
| ODI | 22 | 22 | 535 | 71 | — | 4 | 25.47 | 83.85 | 65 | 6 |
| T20I | 59 | 59 | 1363 | 73 | — | 5 | 23.50 | 131.05 | 168 | 48 |
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 5 | 1 | 1/7 | 2.33 | 7.00 |
| ODI | 22 | 1 | 1/5 | 4.44 | 40.00 |
| T20I | 59 | 10 | 3/15 | 5.96 | 18.50 |
Shafali Verma ICC Ranking — From Debut to No. 1
One of the most remarkable aspects of Shafali Verma’s ICC ranking journey is the speed at which she ascended. Within months of her international debut, she had become the highest-ranked women’s T20I batter on the planet. Going into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, the 16-year-old held the coveted No. 1 position in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings — an extraordinary achievement for someone who had played barely a handful of international matches.
She also holds the record of being the youngest female cricketer to score 1,000 Women’s T20I runs. Her attacking prowess, ability to dominate power plays, and tendency to get India off to fast starts have kept her among the elite batters in ICC Women’s T20I rankings throughout her career. As of mid-2025, she was ranked in the top 15 for ICC T20I batters, with continued movement up the rankings following dominant performances in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in December 2025.
In Women’s Test cricket, Shafali’s ICC Test batting ranking is also among the highest for Indian players, bolstered primarily by that historic double century against South Africa in 2024.
Shafali Verma Personal Life — Husband, Family & Relationships
Given her enormous popularity, it is natural that fans often search for information about Shafali Verma’s husband or her relationship status. As of 2026, Shafali Verma is not married. The 22-year-old is entirely focused on her cricket career and has kept her personal life away from public attention. There is no credible or official information available about a boyfriend or romantic relationship, as she strongly prefers to maintain privacy in this regard.
Her family, however, has always been at the centre of her story. Her father Sanjeev Verma — a jewellery businessman in Rohtak — is widely credited as the driving force behind her career. He was the one who first recognised her exceptional talent, supported her unconditionally, and famously helped her access cricket training in a region that did not offer formal pathways for girl cricketers. Her mother Praveen Bala and siblings have been a constant support system throughout her rapid rise.
“Shafali Verma is not married and has no publicly known romantic relationship as of 2026. Her primary focus remains representing India and achieving new milestones in international cricket.”
Shafali Verma in WPL & Domestic Cricket
The launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023 was a watershed moment for women’s cricket in India, and Shafali Verma was one of its first big stars. At the inaugural WPL auction, she was purchased by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 crore — a strong statement of confidence in her match-winning ability. In the 2023 WPL season, she contributed 252 runs as an opener, establishing herself as one of the most destructive batters in the league.
In domestic cricket, Shafali represents the Haryana Women’s team and has been playing for the state side since 2017. Her domestic run-scoring exploits were the foundation upon which her international career was built. She continues to be a key player for Delhi Capitals in subsequent WPL seasons, and her performances in the franchise league remain a key element of her overall cricketing profile.
U-19 World Cup — Captain & Champion
In January 2023, Shafali Verma was handed one of the most prestigious responsibilities in youth cricket: captaining India at the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. She led the team with great distinction, and India won the tournament — becoming the inaugural U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup champions. This cemented Shafali’s reputation not just as a match-winner but as a leader capable of delivering on the biggest stages.
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 — Shafali’s Greatest Hour
If one single moment defines Shafali Verma’s journey, it is her 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final performance. India’s path to the final at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on November 2, 2025 was already remarkable, but Shafali’s inclusion in the squad was dramatic in itself: she had been out of the ODI setup for much of 2024-25 and was called in as an injury replacement for Pratika Rawal just before the semi-finals.
Shafali made every second count. In the final against South Africa, she walked out to open the batting and produced an innings of controlled aggression — 87 runs off 78 balls — that laid the foundation for India’s imposing total of 298/7. Alongside Smriti Mandhana, she forged a record 100-run opening partnership that effectively won India the final. But her contribution did not end with the bat. With the ball, she claimed two crucial wickets in 7 overs, finishing with figures of 2/36, dismissing key South African batters Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp to break partnerships at a critical juncture.
India won the match by 52 runs — their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title. Shafali was awarded the Player of the Match and subsequently named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November 2025. As she herself said after the match: “It ended far better than I could have ever wished or imagined.”
Shafali Verma Key Career Milestones & Records
| Year | Milestone / Achievement | Format / Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Youngest Indian to play a Women’s T20I (age 15) | T20I vs South Africa |
| 2019 | Youngest Indian to score an international 50 | T20I in West Indies |
| 2019 | Player of the Series vs West Indies T20I (158 runs in 5 games) | T20I Series |
| 2020 | Reached No. 1 ICC Women’s T20I Batting Ranking | ICC Rankings |
| 2020 | India’s leading batter in T20 World Cup Final run | ICC T20 World Cup |
| 2021 | 96 on Test debut vs England (Player of Match with 159 total) | Women’s Test |
| 2021 | Became youngest female to score 1,000 Women’s T20I runs | T20I |
| 2023 | Captained India to inaugural U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup title | U-19 World Cup |
| 2023 | Signed by Delhi Capitals for ₹2 Crore at inaugural WPL auction | WPL |
| 2024 | Fastest Women’s Test Double Century: 205* off 197 balls vs South Africa | Women’s Test |
| 2025 | Player of the Match in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Final (87 off 78) | ODI World Cup Final |
| 2025 | ICC Women’s Player of the Month — November 2025 | ICC Award |
| 2025 | Most T20I runs in India vs Sri Lanka T20I series (241 runs) | T20I Series |
Batting Style, Strengths & Playing Characteristics
Shafali Verma is fundamentally a right-handed aggressive opening batter who believes in taking the attack to the opposition from ball one. Her batting is characterised by:
Power Through the Off-Side: Shafali has a particularly strong drive through covers and an ability to hit over extra cover that few batters in women’s cricket possess. She generates exceptional bat speed for her relatively compact frame.
Pull Shot & Hook Shot Mastery: Against fast bowlers, the pull shot is one of her signature strokes. She reads length quickly and transfers her weight onto the back foot to execute with tremendous power.
Slog-Sweep & Loft: Against spin, Shafali uses her strong wrists to slog-sweep or launch over long-on. This has made her a particularly potent T20 weapon in the Power Play.
Temperament in Tests: Her double century against South Africa proved that, when she curbs her natural aggression slightly, she possesses the technique and patience to build long Test innings. Her ability to switch gears between T20 aggression and Test accumulation is a hallmark of an elite batter.
As a part-time right-arm off-break bowler, Shafali has also contributed usefully across all three formats, with 12 international wickets at combined figures that reflect her steady economy and ability to take a timely wicket.
Conclusion
Shafali Verma is not merely a record-breaker — she is a cultural force. From a young girl in Rohtak who cut her hair to play cricket in a boys’ academy, to becoming the youngest No. 1 ICC-ranked Women’s T20I batter, to scoring the fastest double century in Women’s Test history, to being the Player of the Match in India’s maiden Women’s ODI World Cup Final — her journey is one of extraordinary determination, talent, and national pride.
With her 22nd birthday only behind her, and with the entire arc of a long international career still ahead, Shafali Verma’s story is still being written. The records she holds today may only be a fraction of what lies ahead. For India, and for women’s cricket globally, Shafali Verma represents the future — and the future looks very bright indeed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Shafali Verma
What is Shafali Verma’s highest score in international cricket?
Shafali Verma’s highest score in international cricket is 205* (not out), scored against South Africa in a Women’s Test match in June 2024. It is also the fastest Women’s Test double century in history, made off just 197 balls. In T20Is, her highest score is 73, and in ODIs it is 71.
Has Shafali Verma scored a century in international cricket?
Yes. Shafali Verma has scored one international century, which came in the form of a double century (205*) against South Africa in the 2024 Women’s Test. She had previously come agonisingly close on Test debut in 2021, when she made 96 against England. In T20Is and ODIs, she has scored multiple half-centuries but no hundreds so far.
What is Shafali Verma’s ICC ranking?
Shafali Verma has previously reached the peak ICC Women’s T20I ranking of No. 1 in the world, which she held going into the 2020 T20 World Cup. As of 2025–2026, she is ranked within the top 15 ICC Women’s T20I batters and continues to climb following dominant recent performances. For Test cricket, she is among the top-ranked Indian women’s Test batters.
Is Shafali Verma married? Who is Shafali Verma’s husband?
As of 2026, Shafali Verma is not married. There is no publicly available information about a husband or boyfriend. The 22-year-old cricketer is entirely focused on her cricket career and chooses to keep her personal life private. All online claims about a marriage or relationship are rumours with no credible basis.
When did Shafali Verma make her international debut?
Shafali Verma made her Women’s T20 International debut on September 24, 2019, against South Africa in Surat. At 15 years old, she became the youngest Indian cricketer to play a Women’s T20I. She made her Test debut on June 16, 2021, and her ODI debut on June 27, 2021 — both against England.
What team does Shafali Verma play for in the WPL?
Shafali Verma plays for Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She was bought for ₹2 crore at the inaugural WPL auction in 2023 and has been one of the most explosive openers in the league since its inception.
What records does Shafali Verma hold in women’s cricket?
Shafali Verma holds several major records, including: youngest Indian to play a Women’s T20I; youngest Indian to score an international half-century; youngest female cricketer to score 1,000 Women’s T20I runs; the fastest Women’s Test double century (205* off 197 balls, 2024); and she was the No. 1 ranked ICC Women’s T20I batter at just 16 years old.
How did Shafali Verma perform in the 2025 Women’s World Cup Final?
Shafali Verma was the Player of the Match in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final against South Africa on November 2, 2025. She scored 87 off 78 balls and took 2 wickets for 36 runs, helping India win by 52 runs and claim their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title. She was subsequently named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November 2025.
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