Yastika Bhatia, rookie seamer Nandani Sharma and experienced left-arm spinner Radha Yadav have all been named in India’s 15 for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England this June and July. None of the trio featured in the recent five-match series in South Africa, a tour India lost 4–1, so their return (or in Nandani’s case, first call-up) freshens things up a touch before the competition.
The headline absentee is all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. A troublesome back ruled her out of South Africa and, according to captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the prognosis has not improved: “Amanjot is going to be out for four to five months,” Harmanpreet said. Her stand-in on that trip, Kashvee Gautam, has also fallen by the wayside, the right-arm quick damaging her right knee and now booked in for surgery. Chief selector Amita Sharma confirmed both blows during a low-key press conference in Mumbai on Saturday.
With two seam-bowling all-rounders missing, Radha’s recall makes sense. She toured England last summer, lost her spot soon after, yet still owns 89 T20I caps and 103 wickets. Alongside fellow spinners Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani and the lively Shreyanka Patil, Radha offers variations on surfaces that, even in an English summer, can slow up by July.
Bhatia’s selection is more a case of faith than form. The wicketkeeper-batter last played for India A in August 2025, then required ACL surgery in October. She owns 18 T20I caps, the most recent in April 2024, and is expected to compete with Richa Ghosh for the gloves. If nothing else, having a left-hander in the top order gives the think-tank flexibility.
Nandani, 22, is the only uncapped player. Her work for Delhi Capitals in the last WPL caught the eye: 17 wickets in ten matches, including a hat-trick against Gujarat Giants — the first by an uncapped Indian in the tournament. She is brisk rather than express, but her control at the death impressed Capitals’ coaches and, later, the India A selectors for February’s Rising Stars event in Thailand.
Bharti Fulmali keeps her place after two opportunities in South Africa (scores of 40 and 2 from No.5). The squeeze means no room for Anushka Sharma or reserve keeper Uma Chetry this time.
The same squad will play three T20Is against England — 28 and 30 May in Leeds, then 2 June in Bristol — a useful dress rehearsal before the World Cup proper. India open their campaign on 14 June against Pakistan in Birmingham. The group also features Netherlands, South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia. The top two progress to semi-finals at The Oval on 30 June and 2 July, with the final set for Lord’s on 5 July.
Pace options revolve around Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy, newcomer Kranti Gaud and Nandani. Renuka’s new-ball swing remains crucial; Arundhati and Kranti have tended to operate through the middle overs; Nandani, if she plays, might be held back for the closing stages. Spin — traditionally India’s safety net — looks deep, and the batters are familiar: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet form the core, with Bhatia, Fulmali and Deepti providing cover across positions.
India have never lifted the T20 World Cup. They are, however, current ODI champions, so expectations will hover somewhere between cautious optimism and the usual “could this be the year” chatter. The previous edition in 2024 ended before the knock-outs; the best finish under Harmanpreet remains runners-up in 2020. Whether the blend of returning faces and fresh energy can improve on that will be revealed, soon enough, under (hopefully) English sunshine.
Full squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Shree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Nandani Sharma.
