India Women’s T20 World Cup Squad: Why Radha Yadav, Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali Got the Nod

Strategic Selection: Shaping the Indian T20 World Cup Squad

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup, the Indian selectors have unveiled a squad that balances seasoned experience with tactical necessity. While the opening partnership and middle order appear settled, the team management faced difficult decisions regarding specialist roles. The inclusion of Nandani Sharma marks an exciting maiden call-up, but the headlines are dominated by the return of familiar faces and the emergence of a new powerhouse finisher.

The Return of Radha Yadav: An All-Rounder’s Resurgence

Radha Yadav’s path back to the national side was anything but straightforward. After being sidelined following the England tour last year and missing subsequent tours due to the emergence of younger spin prospects like N Shree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma, Radha had to prove her worth through consistent performances.

Her transformation during the WPL 2026 season was pivotal. While her bowling figures were modest, her utility as a lower-order batter—highlighted by a maiden fifty for Royal Challengers Bengaluru—reignited interest. However, it was her leadership for India A at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Bangkok and a stellar performance in the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy, where she claimed 12 wickets and scored 224 runs, that forced the selectors’ hands.

Chief selector Amita Sharma noted that the absence of the injured Amanjot Kaur necessitated an all-rounder who could contribute across all three facets of the game. Radha’s improved bowling rhythm and proven experience made her the ideal candidate to balance the side.

Yastika Bhatia: The Reliability Factor

The wicketkeeping position had become a game of musical chairs following a series of injuries to Yastika Bhatia last year. Despite the presence of Uma Chetry and the debut of 17-year-old G Kamalini, the selectors reverted to Bhatia once she regained full fitness following her ACL surgery. Her value lies in her versatility; she is not merely a backup keeper but a seasoned top-order batter who has solidified her spot in the top three in half of her international innings. For the selectors, her experience in high-pressure tournaments provided the necessary stability behind the stumps and at the top of the order.

Bharti Fulmali: The Missing Finisher

Perhaps the most compelling narrative is the rise of Bharti Fulmali. With Amanjot Kaur sidelined, India lost both a seam-bowling option and a crucial lower-middle-order power hitter. Richa Ghosh has performed admirably, but the team desperately needed a reliable partner to accelerate the scoring in the final overs.

Fulmali, who ended a seven-year international exile earlier this year, has evolved into a formidable finisher. Her performance for the Gujarat Giants in the WPL—striking at an impressive 146.91 in 2026—demonstrates her ability to clear the ropes. Hitting eight sixes in just 81 balls during the WPL campaign, she has proven she can match the output of elite finishers. As Harmanpreet Kaur stated, Fulmali fits the specific tactical requirement for a batter at No. 6 or 7, offering the team a genuine chance to maximize their death-over scoring.

Conclusion

The road to the T20 World Cup is paved with difficult choices, but the Indian squad reflects a clear focus on balance and specialized skill sets. By backing the proven experience of Radha and Yastika, and placing faith in the explosive potential of Bharti Fulmali, India has constructed a unit capable of addressing the specific challenges of the tournament. Whether these strategic recalls and inclusions pay off remains to be seen, but for now, the path forward appears well-defined.