India's 15-year-old women's cricket sensation Shafali Verma had to get her hair cut like a boy so that she could get into the local academy to train, her father told AFP.
Now India's cricket establishment is relying on Verma, who made her T20I debut for the national team against South Africa last month and will soon go on a tour of the West Indies.
The teenager has become known for her aggressive batting.
But her father Sanjeev Verma told of the struggle to get her daughter accepted in games.
That is when he decided to give her a "boy's haircut" to trick opponents.
What a moment this is for the hard-hitting batter Shafali Verma, who makes her India debut today. She is only 15! ???#INDWvsSAW pic.twitter.com/nD0C6ApQld
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 24, 2019
The father said he was never worried about seeing her play against male teams, believing it would improve her skills.
But when he tried to get professional training, he hit a new equality obstacle when academies refused to take Shafali.
Father and daughter are "diehard fans" of Sachin Tendulkar, holder of many scoring records and a legend in Indian cricket.
With Shafali already in the national team, at least two other members of the Verma family hope to find cricket success.
Shafali's 17-year-old brother, Sahil, also hopes to rise through the ranks.
