‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 17’: Amitabh Bachchan Praises Shafali Verma’s Journey From Zero to Hero; Cricketer Recalls Playing As Her Brother in Early Days

In an upcoming episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati, India’s youngest cricket sensation, Shafali Verma, opened up about her early struggles and the unconventional start to her sporting journey. During her heart-to-heart conversation with the host and legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, she revealed that her debut match began with a zero-run innings, a moment she remembers clearly. Speaking about her formative years, Shafali shared, “My family wasn’t financially strong, and my father first took my brother to cricket coaching. I would go along and tease him from behind, telling him the drills looked easy. One day, my father asked me to try it myself, and the first two balls I played, I hit well, and he was impressed." ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 17’: Ananya Panday and Kartik Aaryan To Promote Their Upcoming Rom-Com ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’ on Amitabh Bachchan’s Popular Quiz Show.

Amitabh Bachchan Tells Shafali Verma, ‘Zero Hota Hai, Baadme Hero Hota Hai’

She added, "There were no women’s cricket academies near our home, so I started playing with boys. When my brother fell sick before a tournament, I wore his T-shirt with his name ‘Sahil’ on it and played in his place… and I ended up becoming the Player of the Tournament. That was the turning point of my life.” When Amitabh Bachchan asked Shafali how much she scored on her India debut, she revealed with a shy smile that her first-ever innings began with zero runs, adding that she felt embarrassed about it. Amitabh immediately reassured her, saying, “Don’t be embarrassed… ‘jiska zero hota hai, baadme jaake hero hota hai’ (the one who starts with a zero, in future becomes a hero).”

Sudesh Lehri Opens Up on 'KBC'

The episode serves as a reminder of how Shafali Verma transformed early obstacles into a career that continues to elevate Indian women’s cricket on the global stage. Earlier, celebrated actor-comedians Sudesh Lehri and Kiku Sharda were seen taking the coveted hot seat alongside the legendary host, Amitabh Bachchan. Sudesh Lehri was seen revisiting the hardships of his childhood, opening up to Big B with a poignant honesty. Lehri confessed, “When I was a child, I never went to school, not even nursery. We were very poor.” In a truly candid and emotionally charged moment, he delivered a heartfelt tribute to the cinematic icon, revealing that Amitabh Bachchan was his unseen inspiration who unknowingly guided his entire artistic journey. Growing up with endless struggles, Lehri explained, “I was always fond of watching films. The first time I ever went to a theatre, someone took me because I didn’t have the money, and the film I watched was Shankar Shambhu. ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 17’: Ravi Gupta and Anubhav Singh Bassi Leave Amitabh Bachchan in Splits With Their Jokes (Watch Video)

Sudesh Lehri Says He Learned Comedy Watching Amitabh Bachchan

After a long time, I saw ‘Ganga Ki Saugand’, your film, where you had that small hand scene. Then Namak Halaal came, and because I loved comedy, I used to watch you again and again.” He added, “We even got the videocassette of the same.” He added, “Then there was the song Ke Pag Ghunghroo Bandh Meera… the scene where you dance with slippers… and of course Amar Akbar Anthony, the mirror scene. Sir, everyone knows you as the angry young man, but I have learnt comedy from you. Whatever I write or perform, it comes from watching you. There is no film of yours that I haven’t seen. I remember the dialogue of all your films.” KBC, hosted by Amitabh, has become a platform for many celebrities and filmmakers to promote their shows and upcoming projects. Meeting Amitabh Bachchan on the show acts as a lifetime opportunity and brownie point for many celebrities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2025 08:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).