Shafali Verma WBBL: The hard-hitting Indian batter appears certain to make her debut in the Women’s Big Bash League.
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India batter Shafali Verma is all set to represent two-time champions Sydney Sixers in her maiden season of the Women’s Big Bash League later this year.
Verma, 17, will become only the fourth Indian player to play in the WBBL following the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur (Sydney Thunder), Smriti Mandhana (Brisbane Heat) and Veda Krishnamurthy (Hobart Hurricanes).
ALSO WATCH: Shafali Verma hits boundary from behind the stumps in Women’s T20 World Cup 2020
In addition to Verma, 21-year old India all-rounder Radha Yadav will also be playing her first season down under this year. While the franchise which Yadav will represent remain unknown, it is expected to be one out of the two Sydney-based franchises.
Shafali Verma WBBL
Verma, who is the top-ranked batter in MRF Tyres ICC T20I Rankings, has scored 617 runs in 22 T20Is at an average and strike rate of 29.38 and 148.31 respectively. The development was confirmed by Verma’s father in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.
“Yes, Shafali [Verma] has signed the contract with Sydney Sixers, and given she is a minor, I have had to give my consent, too. I would like to thank the BCCI and Haryana Cricket Association [HCA] for giving my daughter the permission and support to play in the WBBL.
“Without the guidance of the HCA, whatever Shafali is doing in her career wouldn’t have been possible,” Verma’s father Sanjeev Verma was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
At Sixers, Verma will play under illustrious Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry. Furthermore, a strong possibility of Verma opening the batting with Australia wicket-keeper batter Alyssa Healy is also on the cards. If the same happens, expect the pair to put on display some brisk opening partnerships.
India batter @TheShafaliVerma and allrounder @Radhay_21 are set play in the upcoming edition of the @WBBL
Verma has signed with the @SixersWBBL and Yadav is on the verge of finalising her deal with one of the two Sydney-based clubs pic.twitter.com/VxIcD0sOjC
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 13, 2021
It is worth mentioning that Verma will also be making her debut in the inaugural season of The Hundred in England. Other than the opening pair of Mandhana and Verma, the likes of Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues will also be playing in The Hundred.
