Also a 15-year-old player in the WPL: Meet Uma Kashvi, Delhi Capitals’ latest sensation
Indian cricket has a way of finding its next big story when you least expect it. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captured the imagination for most of 2025 with his remarkable rise. At the age of 15, he already made his debut in India. As the young batsman continues to chase bigger dreams, another teenager has quietly started carving out his own place in Indian cricket.
October 28 will always be a special date for Uma Kashvi. At the Grand Hyatt in Kochi, amid the excitement of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, a Karnataka teenager became the youngest player ever to be bought in the tournament. Delhi Capitals secured her services for Rs 10 croreopens the door to a new chapter in her cricketing journey.
At 15 years and 202 days, Kashvi broke the record previously held by Deeya Yadav, who was 16 when she became the youngest player to be bought in the WPL auction last year. This milestone put Kashvi in the limelight, but her journey took years. From piling up runs in age-group cricket to testing with senior players, she has steadily built a reputation as a cricketer to watch.
However, her WPL debut may have to wait. Kashvi is part of India’s Under-19 World Cup plans, with the tournament to be held in Bangladesh and Nepal in a period that overlaps with the WPL.
WPL 2027 Auction Highlights
At the NICE Cricket Arena in Bengaluru, where Kashvi trains, the news came as a pleasant surprise. Even for those who have followed her development closely, the speed with which she reached this milestone was astounding. Her coach Arjun Dev was among those who were taken aback when Delhi Capitals called her name.
“I think it took everyone by surprise. Most likely he won’t be available as he is part of the Under-19 World Cup setup. But it’s always good to have such a pleasant surprise,” Arjun told India Today in an exclusive interview.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE 15 YEAR OLD
Uma Kashvi trains at the NICE academy in Bengaluru. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram
Kashvii’s cricket journey started when she was about seven and a half years old when she trained at an academy near her home. Those early sessions laid the foundation for a journey that took her from local tournaments to the age group teams of Karnataka.
Her talent did not take long to show itself. At just 12, Kashvi scored an unbeaten 217 in an inter-school tournament at the junior club level in Bengaluru. It was the kind of innings that makes people sit up and take notice, offering an early glimpse of her ability to dominate the opposition with the bat.
Her introduction to the wider cricketing environment came even earlier. At the age of nine, she received the Young Talent Award at the India Nippon Cup, where she shared the dressing room with Indian internationals Veda Krishnamurthy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil. For a young cricketer still finding her feet, the experience offered a glimpse of the level she might aspire to reach.
Arjun said Kashvi’s talent was evident long before her performances in age-group cricket started attracting wider attention.
“I think we knew she was special from a very young age. By the time she was eight or nine years old, she was already playing in local tournaments with older players and everyone knew she had an extraordinary talent.”
But for her coach, the most striking aspect of Kashvii’s development isn’t just what she can do with the bat or the ball. It is the maturity with which he approaches the game and the world around him.
“Now at 15, she has made the most of that talent. The way she understands the game, her maturity and understanding of her own abilities are way beyond her years. Even as a person, the way she understands the world is remarkable. She is not your average 15-year-old girl,” said Arjun.
Those who watched her progress always believed she could make the leap to the next level. What they didn’t necessarily expect was for it to happen so soon.
“I think everybody knew he was going to get to the next level, but honestly, I don’t think we expected it to happen so quickly.”
BOLDER AND BETTER
Uma Kashvi was impressive in the Women’s U19 Trophy 2026. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram
Kashvi has also shown a desire for responsibility. She captains the Karnataka Under-15 team and led Bengaluru Blasters in the Maharani Trophy, Karnataka’s women’s T20 competition.
Playing against senior domestic cricketers gave her an opportunity to understand the demands of a higher level. She offered a glimpse of her batting potential in the 2025 tournament when she scored 48 off 42 balls against Mysore Warriors.
Her progression continued through the Karnataka age-group system where she featured in the state’s under-19 T20 campaign and in the team that reached the semi-finals of the women’s under-19 one-day trophy.
Kashvi also represented India Under-19s against Sri Lanka in June and July 2026. She took four wickets in three T20 matches and two wickets in two ODIs, helping to prove her potential as a right-arm off-spinner who can contribute with the bat in the middle order.
Despite all the promise she has shown, her coach believes the next phase of her development will depend on her willingness to keep pushing herself.
The moment history was made at #TATAWPLAuction 2027 15-year-old Uma Kashvi became @DelhiCapitals Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) at the #TATAWPL auction October 28, 2026
The transition from age group cricket to the senior game can be challenging, especially for teenagers who are just learning the finer points of cricket. Talent can open doors, but adapting to stronger opposition, making decisions under pressure and backing up in difficult situations is what helps young players progress.
“It’s too early to say because we haven’t processed everything yet. My conversations with her have been about how she needs to keep improving and be braver if she wants to reach the next level. So, like I said, it feels like a blessing,” Arjun said.
RUNNING ASSESSMENT MACHINE
If there was any doubt about Kashvi’s ability to dominate with the bat, her performances in the Women’s Under-15 One-Day Trophy 2025-26 offered a convincing answer.
The youngster from Karnataka finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer, amassing 516 runs at an average of 172. She hit three and a half centuries and produced the kind of consistency that distinguishes players who can make the difference over the course of a tournament rather than in isolated performances.
One shift in particular stood out. Against Manipur on 10 January 2026, Kashvi smashed an unbeaten 158 off just 66 balls, hitting 23 fours and seven sixes. Her aggressive knock helped Karnataka post 321 for five in 35 overs at the Aditya Academy Ground in Kolkata.
Karnataka claimed an impressive 275-run victory. The innings was a reminder that Kashvi is not just a youngster capable of taking the wicket and piling on the runs. When he finds his rhythm, he can take a game away from the opposition.
Her contribution with the ball was equally encouraging. In the quarter-final of Karnataka’s Under-19 T20 Trophy against Vidarbha on 22 October 2026, she took three wickets for 18 runs in four overs. Karnataka defended 140 for seven to secure a six-run win, with Kashvi also contributing 11 off 13 balls. She was named Player of the Match.
For a young cricketer who is still developing her game, being able to impact the competition in more than one department is an important asset.
A MATCH WINNER IN EVERY SENSE
Uma Kashvi (left) breaks Deeya Yadav’s (right) record for the youngest WPL auction purchase. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram
Kashvii’s value goes beyond her off-spin batting and bowling. Her coach believes she is already one of the better players in the field, adding another dimension to her all-round game.
Fielding can separate promising young cricketers from those who are useful in different match situations. A quick stop, accurate throw or difficult catch can change the tempo of a game, and Kashvi has earned praise for her athleticism and commitment in the field.
“She’s a fielder to start with. She’s one of the better fielders and knows how to win matches at the lower levels. The level of competition will be different of course, but like I said, she understands the game quickly and I’m sure she’ll be able to adapt to the pace of the game at that level as well,” Arjun said.
The WPL brings together established international stars and leading domestic cricketers in India. The pace and intensity could be a substantial step up from junior cricket and Kashvii’s ability to learn quickly will be tested if he gets the chance to join the Delhi Capitals.
THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT
Apart from being an excellent all-rounder, Uma Kashvi is also a fielder. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram
Delhi Capitals have invested in young Indian talent in recent seasons, with the likes of Niki Prasad and Shafali Verma illustrating how opportunities at a young age can become a springboard to bigger stages. If Kashvi gets the chance to join the Capitals, sharing a locker room with experienced players like Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry and Annabel Sutherland could offer valuable lessons in preparation, game awareness and handling pressure.
A lot will depend on how he performs in the coming months, especially if he gets the opportunity to represent India in the U-19 World Cup. Strong performances there could attract further attention as impressive age-group displays have helped other young Indian cricketers make the transition to the senior set-up.
The examples of Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma, who both made their debuts for India as fifteen-year-olds, offer a reminder that age need not be a barrier when talent meets opportunity.
For Kashvi, the next challenge is to turn potential into progress. The WPL auction has secured her a major milestone at just 15 years old, but the work that got her here must continue. He will have to keep scoring, taking wickets, improving in the field and learning to cope with the demands of senior cricket.
With a place in the Delhi Capitals squad and the opportunity to participate in the Under-19 World Cup, Kashvi has another opportunity to show just how far her early promise can take her. Her story is just beginning and Indian cricket will be watching to see what comes next.
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