Sixteen-year-old Deeya Yadav has made history by becoming the youngest player to earn a WPL contract, after Delhi Capitals picked her at her base price of ₹10 lakh. Her parents, Pinky and Rakesh Yadav, lived through a tense evening as her name came up at the auction.
The silence in the room lasted nearly fifteen seconds before Delhi Capitals raised the paddle, ending the family’s anxious wait.
Deeya was away in Kerala with Haryana’s U23 squad when her parents watched the auction from different locations. Pinky feared her daughter would go unsold, while Rakesh felt deep nervousness. Their shock turned into joy when the bid came.
Rakesh said life has changed overnight for their middle-class family, as calls and congratulations pour in.
At Delhi Capitals, Deeya will play alongside her idol, Shafali Verma. The two bonded in Haryana’s domestic structure and now share the DC dressing room.
Deeya admires Shafali and MS Dhoni, even though she naturally uses her left hand for daily tasks, but bats right-handed. Her game mirrors Shafali’s aggression.
She hammered an unbeaten 213 off 125 balls in the 2023 U-15 One-Day Cup, which put her firmly on DC’s radar.
Her recent domestic numbers strengthened her case. She finished the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy with 298 runs at an average of 59.5 and a strike rate of 128. In the inter-zonal T20S, she scored 151 runs at a strike rate of 149.5.
DC analysts said her fearless intent, situational awareness, and range of attacking shots set her apart.
Dreams Rise Fast
Deeya’s cricket journey began in Pune, where she tried several activities before choosing cricket. Rakesh drove her to sessions and recognised her natural grasp of the sport.
The pandemic disrupted formal training, but she continued practising with her father in an open ground in Gurugram. Her family faced financial strain, but they pushed ahead.
Pinky managed office, home, and her younger daughter’s schooling while ensuring Deeya never missed training. Coaches shaped her technique, improved her weaknesses, and strengthened her mental resilience.
A major transformation came through sports nutrition. Deeya struggled with fatigue and a ligament injury before working with nutritionist Rashmi Cherian.
Structured meals, recovery routines, and discipline improved her fitness, energy, and performance.
Now training at Shri Ram Narain Cricket Club, Deeya eyes bigger dreams, including the 2027 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Her father hopes she enjoys the game without pressure and eventually plays for India.
Deeya’s WPL selection marks only the beginning of an inspiring journey.
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