A 15-year-old in the WPL too: Meet Uma Kashvi, Delhi Capitals' latest sensation

Uma Kashvi became the youngest player ever to be bought at a WPL auction after Delhi Capitals signed the 15-year-old Karnataka cricketer for Rs 10 lakh. Speaking to India Today, her coach Arjun Dev spoke about her extraordinary talent, maturity and potential to shine at the highest level.Uma Kashvi became the youngest-buy in WPL history. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi InstagramNew Delhi,Oct 29, 2026 07:00 ISTIndian cricket has a way of finding its next big story when you least expect it. For much of 2025, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captured the imagination with his remarkable rise. At 15, he has already made his India debut. While the young batter continues to chase bigger dreams, another teenager has quietly begun carving out her 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, the Karnataka teenager became the youngest player ever to be bought at the tournament. Delhi Capitals secured her services for Rs 10 lakh, opening 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 at a WPL auction last year. The milestone has put Kashvi in the spotlight, but her journey has been years in the making. From piling up runs in age-group cricket to testing herself against older 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 scheduled to be held in Bangladesh and Nepal during a period that overlaps with the WPL. WPL 2027 Auction HighlightsAt 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 at which she has reached this milestone has been striking. Her coach, Arjun Dev, was among those taken aback when Delhi Capitals called her name. “I think it came as a surprise to everybody. She most likely won't be available, as she's part of the Under-19 World Cup setup. But it's always good to have a pleasant surprise like that,” 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 Kashvi's cricketing journey began when she was around seven and a half years old, training at an academy close to her home. Those early sessions laid the foundation for a journey that would take her from local tournaments to Karnataka's age-group teams.Her talent did not take long to emerge. At just 12, Kashvi scored an unbeaten 217 in a junior club-level inter-school tournament 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 an opposition with the bat.Her introduction to a wider cricketing environment had come even earlier. At nine, she received the Young Talent Award at the India Nippon Cup, where she shared the dressing room with India 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 could aspire to reach.Arjun said Kashvi's talent was evident long before her performances in age-group cricket began attracting wider attention.“I think we knew she was special from a very young age. When she was eight or nine, she was already playing in local tournaments with senior players, and everyone knew she had extraordinary talent.”For her coach, however, the most striking aspect of Kashvi's development is not simply what she can do with the bat or ball. It is the maturity with which she approaches the game and the world around her.“Now, at 15, she has made the most of that talent. The way she understands the game, her maturity and her understanding of her own abilities are well beyond her years. Even as a person, the way she understands the world is remarkable. She's not your average 15-year-old,” Arjun said.Those who have followed her progress always believed she could make the jump to a higher level. What they did not necessarily expect was for it to happen so soon.“I think everyone knew she would make it to the next level, but honestly, I don't think we expected it to happen this quickly.”BRAVER AND BETTER Uma Kashvi was impressive in the Women's U19 Trophy 2026. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram Kashvi has also shown an appetite for responsibility. She has captained Karnataka's Under-15 side 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, scoring 48 off 42 balls against Mysore Warriors.Her progress continued through Karnataka's age-group system, where she featured in the state's Under-19 T20 campaign and the team that reached the semi-finals of the Women's Under-19 One-Day Trophy.Kashvi also represented India Under-19 against Sri Lanka in June and July 2026. She took four wickets in three T20 matches and two wickets in two one-day games, adding to the evidence of her potential as a right-arm off-spinner who can contribute with the bat in the middle order.Yet, for all the promise she has shown, her coach believes the next stage of her development will depend on her willingness to keep pushing herself.The moment history was created at #TATAWPLAuction 2027 15-year-old Uma Kashvi becomes the at a #TATAWPL Auction @DelhiCapitals https://t.co/ArItcPrwR9— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) October 28, 2026The transition from age-group cricket to the senior game can be demanding, particularly for a teenager still learning the finer details of cricket. Talent may open doors, but adapting to stronger opposition, making decisions under pressure and backing oneself in difficult situations are what help young players progress.“It's too early to say, as 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, as I said, this comes as a blessing,” Arjun said.A RUN-SCORING MACHINEIf 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 compelling answer.The Karnataka youngster finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, piling up 516 runs at an average of 172. She struck three centuries and a half-century, producing the kind of consistency that sets apart players who can make a difference throughout a tournament rather than in isolated performances.One innings, in particular, stood out. Against Manipur on January 10, 2026, Kashvi smashed an unbeaten 158 off just 66 balls, striking 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 went on to register a commanding 275-run victory. The innings was a reminder that Kashvi is not merely a youngster capable of occupying the crease and accumulating runs. She can also take a game away from the opposition when she finds her rhythm.Her contribution with the ball has been equally encouraging. In Karnataka's Under-19 T20 Trophy quarter-final against Vidarbha on October 22, 2026, she claimed 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 still developing her game, the ability to influence a contest in more than one department is an important asset.A MATCH-WINNER IN EVERY SENSE Uma Kashvi (left) broke Deeya Yadav's (right) record for the youngest WPL auction buy. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram Kashvi's value extends beyond her batting and off-spin bowling. Her coach believes she is already one of the better fielders around, adding another dimension to her all-round game.Fielding can separate promising young cricketers from those who make themselves useful in different match situations. A sharp stop, an accurate throw or a difficult catch can change a game's momentum, and Kashvi has earned praise for her athleticism and commitment in the field.“She’s a gun fielder to start with. She’s one of the better fielders around, and she knows how to win games at the lower levels. Obviously, the level of competition will be different, but as 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 India's leading domestic cricketers. The pace and intensity can be a substantial step up from junior cricket, and Kashvi's ability to learn quickly will be tested if she gets an opportunity to join Delhi Capitals.THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT Apart from being an excellent all-rounder, Uma Kashvi is also a gun fielder. Courtesy: Uma Kashvi Instagram Delhi Capitals have invested in young Indian talent in recent seasons, with players such as Niki Prasad and Shafali Verma illustrating how opportunities at a young age can become stepping stones to bigger stages. If Kashvi gets the opportunity to join the Capitals, sharing a dressing room with experienced players such as Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry and Annabel Sutherland could offer valuable lessons in preparation, match awareness and handling pressure.Much will depend on how she performs in the coming months, particularly if she gets the opportunity to represent India at the Under-19 World Cup. Strong performances there could bring further attention, as impressive age-group displays have helped other young Indian cricketers move towards the senior setup.The examples of Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma, both of whom made their India debuts as 15-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 given her a significant milestone at just 15, but the work that brought her here must continue. She will need to keep scoring runs, taking wickets, sharpening her fielding and learning to handle the demands of senior cricket.With a place in the Delhi Capitals squad and the possibility of an Under-19 World Cup appearance ahead, Kashvi has another opportunity to show just how far her early promise can take her. Her story is only beginning, and Indian cricket will be watching to see what comes next.- Ends