On January 20, 2026 Capitals of Delhi made a redefining move WPL‘s 16-year-old debut cover history Deeya Yadav For the important Match 13 against Mumbai Indians. In the high-stakes environment at the Vadodara stadium, the teenager didn’t just participate; he dominated, smashing six big sixes clearing the ropes with a level of ease usually reserved for seasoned internationals. By choosing this special moment for the 16-year-old to make her debut, the Capitals management showed great faith in her fearless intentions and allowed her to come out to play alongside her idol. Shafali Verma.
7 lesser known facts about Delhi Capitals player Deeya Yadav
1. Youngest to join WPL: Deeya has officially etched her name into the record books as the youngest player ever to be bought and played. Women’s Premier League. Horse 16 years and 103 dayshe caught the Mumbai Indians GrandmaIn 2025, he set a record with 16 years and 213 days. Signed for INR 10 lakhs in the 2026 mega auction, Deeya’s entry at such a tender age marks her as a generational prodigy already at an elite level with her physical maturity and strength.
2. Birth, the early spark and the ‘Closed Academy’: Deeya was born on October 9, 2009 in Pune, the city where the seeds of cricket were first sown. Inspired by India’s 2017 World Cup run, he convinced his father: Rakesh Yadav (former Delhi U-19 player), to allow him to play. For about a year, since he was only eight years old, his father would come inside their house every day to sharpen his reflexes. This intimate, early training laid the foundation for her hand-eye coordination, before she became the first female student. Aryans Cricket Academy In the city of Pune.
3. Sacrifice of parents and strategic move to Haryana: Deeya’s career trajectory was saved by a massive family decision during the COVID-19 pandemic. As lockdowns halted training in Pune, Yadav’s family moved to Gurugram in 2020, specifically to enroll him. Shri Ram Narain Cricket Academy. This move was very important as it was placed under his umbrella Haryana Cricket Association (HCA)famous for its high performance culture and fitness standards. Her father, an IT specialist, managed the family finances even through the demanding costs of high-end equipment and academy fees, ensuring that Deeya would have a place close to their home where she could continue to play ball when the official academies closed.
4. Historical two centuries: Deeya’s name became a sensation in November 2023 Under 15 Women’s One Day Cup in Raipur. While 35 overs constituted an innings, he played an unbeaten innings in a marathon of 213 runs off just 125 balls. He finished the tournament as the second highest run-getter with 578 runs, averaged a staggering 96.33 and even scored a century in the final against Delhi to help Haryana lift the trophy.
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5. Upgrade: Despite his young age, Deeya’s transition to senior cricket has been lightning fast and he has made a breakthrough in the 2023-24 season. Before the WPL auction, she maintained an incredible streak across three formats: 298 runs in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, 151 in the Inter-Zonal T20 and 255 in the U-23 tournament. This “breakthrough campaign” proved that he could dominate not only his peers but also seasoned professional bowlers.
6. Technical profile with unique strength: DC scout though scouts call him “Chhoti Shafali” for his raw power Ananya Upendran marks the main technical difference. In contrast to the leg-side dominance that Shafali displayed early on, the 5’8″ Deeya is exceptionally strong off the front foot and fed wide, showing great fluency on the outside. His tall stature allows him to handle a high tempo with ease, making him a versatile threat on power plays, a quality that makes DC CEO. Sunil Gupta only to follow him since he was 14 years old.
7. Vegetarian “Strength” discipline: To maintain the strength required to clear the 65 meter boundaries, Deeya follows a strict vegetarian lifestyle that requires extreme discipline during tours. As protein can be hard to come by when traveling, her mother Pinky ensures she has a constant supply of special nutrients, and Deeya eats raw paneer straight from the packet to meet her high protein needs. This commitment to nutrition, along with a rigorous HCA fitness regimen, is the secret to his “pure power” and explosive bat speed.
8. Auction gym session and future goals: Deeya was in the middle of a gym session in Thiruvananthapuram when she found out she had been selected for the WPL. During the 2026 auction, he huddled around a mobile phone between sets with his teammates and the gym erupted into applause when Delhi made the winning bid. Despite the sudden fame of being a WPL star, she is focusing on her next big goal: to represent India in the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027 and help the senior team finally lift the world cup.
It had to be tongue-in-cheek. It must have been Shafali who gave him the cap 💙❤️
Well done, Deeya 👊 pic.twitter.com/0mpN4TXzjQ
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 20, 2026
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This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
