India have named Women's T20 World Cup squad. Courtesy: PTI

Radha Yadav, Yastika Bhatia return in India's strong 15-member squad for Women's T20 World Cup

Yastika Bhatia and Radha Yadav have returned as India named a strong 15-member squad for the Women's T20 World Cup and the T20I series against England. Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur missed out due to injuries.

by · India Today

Radha Yadav and Yastika Bhatia returned as India named strong squads for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the preceding tour of England. The squad was finalised after a selection committee meeting on Saturday, attended by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, head coach Amol Muzumdar, chairman of selectors Amita Sharma, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.

Yastika had missed last year’s Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) after sustaining a serious left knee injury in September 2025. She later underwent successful surgery, reported to be an ACL reconstruction, to address the issue.

Radha, meanwhile, is set to make her T20I comeback after nearly a year, having last featured in the format during the tour of England. Earlier this year, she also led India A to the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup title.

NANDINI SHARMA REWARDED

Fast bowler Nandini Sharma has earned her maiden India call-up after Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur missed out due to injuries. Earlier this year, the right-arm pacer made history by becoming the first Delhi Capitals (DC) bowler to claim a hat-trick in the WPL.

The 24-year-old achieved the feat against Gujarat Giants at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-33-5. She enjoyed a standout season overall, picking up 17 wickets from 10 matches at an economy rate of 8.31.

ANUSHKA RETAINED AFTER SOUTH AFRICA TOUR

Anushka Sharma was retained in the squad following her impressive performances on the tour of South Africa. She impressed with her fluent strokeplay while opening the batting in the absence of Smriti Mandhana, who missed a few games on the tour.

Kashvee missed the World Cup due to a right knee injury, Amita Sharma said during the press conference. Amanjot, meanwhile, was ruled out of the South Africa tour due to injury and is expected to remain sidelined for the next four to five months, Harmanpreet Kaur added.

India's squads for Women's T20 World Cup and England T20Is

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Radha Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, Anushka Sharma, Deepti Sharma

India's squad for Lord's Test against England

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pratika Rawal, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Raha

More to follow

- Ends