New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) Just a week ago, IT professionals Pinky and Rakesh Yadav experienced a thrilling yet tense evening. While Pinky stayed home, Rakesh navigated his way back from work. A mere 18 kilometers away, their 16-year-old daughter Deeya's name was on the verge of being announced in the WPL auction.

Deeya was competing with Haryana's U23 team in Kerala during the T20 matches, and the tension rose for Pinky and Rakesh as auctioneer Mallika Sagar called her name. The auction room fell silent for about 10-15 seconds before Delhi Capitals, who had been monitoring the young talent, raised their paddle to secure her at a base price of Rs 10 lakh.

"When DC finally raised the paddle, I felt an immense sense of relief. It was our first time experiencing an auction, and we were quite unaware of how it operated. Yet, it was truly exhilarating - albeit nerve-wracking," Rakesh shared with IANS.

For Pinky, the feeling was one of fear rather than nerves. She witnessed other players go unsold before Deeya's name was mentioned. "I was anxious about what would happen when her name was called. But then DC made the bid, and I thought, 'Oh God, I didn’t expect this, but it has happened.' We are still in disbelief – it's hard to believe this has occurred so quickly!" she expressed to IANS.

Life has transformed dramatically since Deeya became the youngest player to be chosen in a WPL auction. "We are just an ordinary middle-class family. I can't find words to describe how our lives have changed since Deeya was picked for the WPL. She is receiving a lot of attention, and we are overwhelmed by the number of phone calls we are getting; we don't quite know how to respond," noted Rakesh.

At Delhi Capitals, Deeya will reunite with her idol, Indian opener Shafali Verma, who was the player of the match in last month's ODI World Cup final. The duo had formed a bond in Haryana's setup, and now fate has brought them together again at DC.

“Shafali has been her favorite for a long time, and MS Dhoni is also among her cricketing heroes. Coincidentally, all of them are right-handed batters, while Deeya has the unique ability to bowl with both hands. She handles all tasks, including writing, with her left hand, but when she picks up a bat, she becomes a right-hander,” explained Rakesh.

Observing Shafali dismantle bowling attacks has significantly influenced Deeya's playing style, characterized by aggression. During the 2023 Under-15 Women's One-Day Cup, Deeya achieved an impressive unbeaten score of 213 runs off 125 balls against Tripura, a performance that placed her on the radar of DC.

This year, she secured the fifth spot among run-scorers in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy with 298 runs at an average of 59.5 and a strike rate of 128. She continued her stellar performance by being the fourth highest run-scorer in the inter-zonal T20 competition, amassing 151 runs at a strike rate of 149.5.

“We have been closely monitoring Deeya Yadav throughout the recent domestic season, especially during the Senior Women’s T20 and Inter-Zonal tournaments. Playing alongside her Haryana teammate and idol Shafali Verma has been crucial for her growth,” remarked the CricViz analysts from the DC scouting team.

“Deeya exhibits remarkable fearlessness, a diverse range of shots, and composure at such a young age, which captivated us during these tournaments. Her statistics were impressive, drawing the attention of scouts, and we feel fortunate to have acquired her at the base price,” they added.

“What truly distinguishes Deeya are her responses to various situations, her attitude, body language, and intent. She plays with audacity, and one of her most notable shots is her aerial strike down the ground, over mid-on and mid-off,” they further elaborated.

“With Delhi Capitals retaining three key Indian batters, she is perfectly suited as a backup for that role. Playing alongside Shafali at Delhi Capitals will be instrumental in nurturing her confidence and aggression, which we highly value,” they stated to IANS.

Meanwhile, Rakesh, a former Delhi Under-19 player with a background in corporate cricket, reminisced about the family's time in Pune during the 2015/16 season. Deeya was just a regular child, dabbling in skating, music, dance, badminton, and gymnastics. One day, she expressed her desire to play cricket and immediately took to it.

Rakesh would take her to weekend training sessions, watching her enthusiasm flourish. “She found joy in it, and that was the best part. Based on my limited cricket experience, I noticed she picked up skills quickly. She began asking for equipment, and gradually, I started supporting her,” he recounted.

Deeya's budding potential could have been hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic. When the lockdown occurred, the family moved to Gurugram. With no formal training available, Rakesh and Deeya found a nearby ground where he would throw balls while she practiced her batting.

Rakesh faced minimal obstacles in guiding Deeya's career, aside from financial constraints. “There were challenges managing finances, as cricket is an expensive sport. To excel, one needs top-notch equipment and coaching. The fees can be quite steep, but we managed,” he shared.

Pinky made even greater sacrifices. As a working mother, she balanced office responsibilities, household duties, and their younger daughter's schooling while Rakesh accompanied Deeya to training. "Everyone was on different schedules. I sometimes took leave or adjusted my work hours, but I managed to keep everything afloat," she said.

Deeya now trains at the Shri Ram Narain Cricket Club in Sultanpur and receives strong support from the Haryana Cricket Association. Rakesh remains actively involved, tracking Deeya's progress with the supportive coaches who keep him updated. However, as a former player, he understands when to take a step back.

“As parents, we should avoid excessive interference in the sport. When a child begins power hitting, especially girls, they tend to develop a range of shots on the leg side. As time passes and they gain strength, they diversify their shots, enabling them to hit across the field. Her strength and conditioning coach has contributed significantly to this development,” said Rakesh.

Sanjay Negi, who operates a training center in Ghitorni, coached Deeya in 2023. What stood out was not only her 360-degree shot-making but also her mental resilience. "She possesses a mindset that if she doesn’t score today, she will make a comeback tomorrow. While the world often emphasizes technical skills, she is mentally robust," he noted.

Technically, there was still room for improvement, and Negi worked to enhance her fundamentals. “When she first joined, she struggled with singles, her basics were lacking, she was getting out to inswingers too quickly, faced difficulties with leg spinners, and had issues with her backlift - so I focused on strengthening all these aspects. I believe addressing weaknesses in a timely manner during this growth phase is essential,” he explained.

Like many young athletes, Deeya received constructive criticism from coaches. Her mood would dip, but Pinky would remind her that it’s all part of the journey. “I would reassure her that we want her to grow and succeed. We made her feel supported and reminded her that everyone is behind her. She has a good nature and tends to forget things quickly,” she said.

Before this season, Deeya faced challenges with fitness and recurring fatigue. Heavy workloads and poor nutrition made her susceptible to injuries, including a ligament issue. In August, Rakesh sought assistance from Bengaluru-based sports nutritionist Rashmi Cherian.

As an opening batter, Deeya's energy levels were a concern, and recovery was difficult. Long hours on the field left her exhausted, increasing the risk of overuse injuries. Rashmi and Deeya have yet to meet in person, and they connect via late-night or early-morning calls due to Deeya's travel schedule.

The transformation was rapid - within three months, her energy levels surged, recovery improved, and fatigue dissipated, giving her a tall and athletic physique. "It required considerable effort because athletes may be talented, but their bodies can be weak. We adhere to our traditional home-cooked meals, but they often lack completeness," she stated.

“Yes, we have roti, vegetables, dal, and rice; it is clean, hygienic, and homemade. But is it adequate for a player? I had to delve deeper into what she should consume before and after training,” she explained to IANS.

Deeya's initial reluctance to embrace nutritional guidance tested Rashmi's patience. Stern messages were delivered, followed by supportive ones, and eventually, Deeya complied. “For any athlete, altering eating habits can be challenging. You have a routine, and on top of that, you feel the pressure of performing. Then, you have to consume foods you may not enjoy,” she shared.

“Her discipline is commendable. We need to ensure she gets sufficient protein since she is vegetarian, and these nutrients aren’t easily accessible. I was amazed when she sent me a photo of herself eating raw paneer and I asked her, 'Are you eating this raw?'”

“Her response was, 'Yes, ma'am, I'm fine with it.' This was a significant transformation, and I was delighted to see it. As her fitness improved, she began scoring fifties effortlessly, and one of those innings secured a victory for Haryana. The impact has been such that we no longer discuss her previous injuries,” she mentioned.

Under Rashmi’s guidance, Deeya's diet is continuously adjusted. Morning calls help determine whether she should have dosa, uttapam, or idli, depending on whether it’s a match or training day. Supplements and electrolytes are tailored to the conditions of each city, along with updates on food menus.

The process extends beyond nutrition - hydration, recovery, foam rolling, stretching, and sleep are all monitored. Rashmi noted that Deeya's fat percentage has decreased while her muscle mass has significantly improved. Rashmi also provides a food list, and Deeya carries protein bars and non-perishable snacks in her bag.

“There have been instances where she had to train while experiencing intense menstrual pain. Once, after a grueling 2-3 hour training session, players were served tea, biscuits, and pakoras. I asked, 'What will you do?' She replied, 'Ma'am, I just had what you recommended.'"

When Deeya faced her ligament injury, she, Pinky, and Rakesh remained steadfast in their commitment to her cricket career despite the uncertainty. "Few focus on this aspect, but her parents were particularly dedicated, especially her father. During her time away from training, we were uncertain about her future. I assured her father that I would provide support, and now she is thriving,” Rashmi concluded.

Deeya's journey to professional cricket has been arduous - learning the game in Pune, relocating to Gurugram, enduring hours of traffic to reach training sessions, while balancing her nutritional requirements and consistently playing in various age-group competitions. However, her focus remained sharp enough to catch the attention of DC for the 2026 WPL.

The WPL selection marks a pivotal moment, but even bigger dreams lie ahead - particularly playing in the 2027 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. As Deeya continues to score runs for Haryana in the U23 T20 games and Rashmi prepares her food list for WPL 2026, Rakesh hopes for more unforgettable evenings like November 27, 2025, to become a regular occurrence in their lives.

“Honestly, I don’t have any special expectations. I don’t wish to burden her with hopes. She’s too young for that. But like every parent in India, I want her to have fun first. Wherever fate takes her, I want her to enjoy, and thankfully, she is. I’m confident that if she keeps relishing the journey and learning new skills, she will certainly succeed, and I hope to see her play for India,” he concluded.