Sydney Sixers on Monday confirmed the signing of Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). At just 17, Verma, who in 2019 became India’s youngest ever women’s T20 international, is widely considered the best batting talent in the world and currently sits atop the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings. On Sunday, she scored a maiden ODI half-century with a mature knock of 56 as India upset the might Australian team, snapping a 26-game win streak.
Verma is expected to form a lethal combination with Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner at the top of the order for the Sixers, giving the team the most exciting top four in WBBL history.
She will also enter the world’s premier women’s domestic tournament with having a good time at the front of her mind. “This is a very good opportunity for me and my goal is to just enjoy myself, to make some new friends and have fun,” Verma said in an official release.
“I want to play WBBL and back myself and just believe in myself.” In June this year, the right-hander became the youngest player, male or female, to represent India in all three formats of international cricket before she debuted for the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred under Sixers’ Head Coach Ben Sawyer.
Not to be overshadowed by her teenage teammate, left-arm orthodox spinner Yadav arrives at the Sixers with a burgeoning resume of her own and sits 11th on the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings.