India announce Women’s T20 World Cup squad: Yastika Bhatia returns, Pratika Rawal misses out

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India announce Women’s T20 World Cup squad: Yastika Bhatia returns, Pratika Rawal misses out

India announce Women’s T20 World Cup squad: Yastika Bhatia returns, Pratika Rawal misses out

India announced their squad for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with Yastika Bhatia returning after ACL surgery and Pratika Rawal missing out on the T20 setup despite making the Test squad. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. Bharti Fulmali, Nandini

India announce Women’s T20 World Cup squad: Yastika Bhatia returns, Pratika Rawal misses out

India announced their squad for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with Yastika Bhatia returning after ACL surgery and Pratika Rawal missing out on the T20 setup despite making the Test squad. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. Bharti Fulmali, Nandini Sharma and Shree Charani earned places, while Radha Yadav retained her spot. Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur were unavailable due to injuries.

The Indian women's cricket team has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in England, and there's plenty to talk about. With the tournament set to kick off on June 14, the squad strikes a careful balance between seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, all under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur.

The biggest headline? Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has made a remarkable return after recovering from ACL surgery, a testament to her determination and the team's faith in her ability. On the flip side, Pratika Rawal, who many expected to make the cut, has been left out of the T20 setup—though she has earned a spot in the Test squad for the one-off match at Lord's.

Smriti Mandhana will once again serve as vice-captain, bringing her wealth of experience alongside stalwarts like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh, who all retain their places. The selectors have also injected fresh energy into the lineup with the inclusion of Bharti Fulmali, young pacer Nandini Sharma, and left-arm spinner Shree Charani, signaling a strategic focus on spin-friendly English conditions.

Radha Yadav, whose place was uncertain, has held onto her spot thanks to strong domestic performances and a proven track record in England. However, injuries have sidelined Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur, leaving a gap in India's pace-bowling depth that the team will need to manage carefully.

Harleen Deol, like Pratika Rawal, has been named only in the Test squad, suggesting the selectors are leaning toward longer-format options for these players at this stage. Meanwhile, Yastika's return adds a layer of stability behind the stumps, with the team management confident she'll be fully fit for the World Cup.

As India sets its sights on a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, this squad blends grit, youth, and experience—perfect ingredients for a run at glory. The journey begins in England, and fans will be watching closely to see if these bold selections pay off.

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