#OTD in 2021 | Shafali Varma became the youngest Indian player to feature in all formats

On this day in 2021, talented Indian top-order batter Shafali Verma made her ODI debut against England at Bristol. At the age of 17 years & 150 days, she also became the youngest player to feature for the Indian team across all the formats. 

Verma was dismissed on 15 off 14 by Katherine Brunt. Her innings consisted of three fours. 

Smriti Mandhana achieved this unique feat in August 2014 against England at 18 years and 26 days. In doing so, she had broken the record of Ishant Sharma, who did it in 19 years and 151 days. 

Verma made her name on the international circuit through her exploits in the T20I team in 2019. The opener was the leading run-getter for the Indian team in the 2020 edition of the T20 World Cup, with 163 runs at an average of 32.60 and a strike rate of 158.25. Her performances helped Team India reach the finals as well. 

Before making her ODI debut, Verma featured in her maiden Test fixture against England during the mid-week of June. So far, she has garnered 242 runs in two matches in the game's longest format.  

She has been crucial to India's top order and is an aggressive batter with a relatively composed Mandhana. The 18-year-old is known for her solid ball-striking capabilities and is the team's biggest hope on larger grounds due to her hitting prowess.

In the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, Verma has amassed 53 runs while taking a single wicket.