India Names Squad for Women's T20 World Cup with Yastika Bhatia and Nandani Sharma India's Women's T20 World Cup squad for the upcoming tournament in England has been finalized, featuring uncapped pace bowler Nandani Sharma, allrounder Radha Yadav, and Yastika Bhatia, who is making her maiden international call-up. The team, which will compete in the June-July edition of the tournament, includes key players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma, while also addressing injuries and selection challenges from the recent T20I series in South Africa. The squad includes Yastika Bhatia, who has been sidelined due to a long-term injury. Bhatia, a wicketkeeper-batter, last played for India A in Australia in August 2025 and underwent ACL surgery in October 2025. She has represented India in 18 T20Is, with her last appearance dating back to April 2024. Radha Yadav, a spin-bowling allrounder, returns to the team after being dropped following her tour of England in the previous summer. Her inclusion strengthens India's spin department, which also features Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani, and Shreyanka Patil. The selection process was influenced by injuries to key players. Allrounder Amanjot Kaur, who missed India's recent T20I series in South Africa due to a back injury, is out for four to five months. Her replacement, Kashvee Gautam, was also unavailable after sustaining a right knee injury during the tour. Gautam, who had been picked as Kaur's replacement, will undergo surgery and is expected to miss the tournament. Chief selector Amita Sharma confirmed that the team's bowling department struggled in South Africa, with the opposition's main batter, Laura Wolvaardt, scoring heavily. To address this, the selectors focused on bolstering the bowling attack by adding Nandani Sharma and Radha Yadav.#india #smriti_mandhana #harmanpreet_kaur #deepti_sharma #nandani_sharma
India Women Secure 14-Run Victory Over South Africa in 4th T20I India Women clinched a 14-run victory over South Africa Women in the fourth T20I of the series at Johannesburg on April 25, 2026, with Deepti Sharma delivering a standout performance. Sharma claimed a career-best five wickets for 19 runs, dismantling South Africa's batting lineup and anchoring India's dominant display. The hosts, chasing 186, were bowled out for 171, falling short by 14 runs despite a spirited effort. The match unfolded with India's bowlers imposing their will early, particularly Deepti Sharma, who dismissed key South African batters including Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayabonga Khaka with precision. Sharma’s figures of 5/19 and 36 runs from 26 deliveries highlighted her all-round contribution, while Shafali Verma also chipped in with two wickets. South Africa’s chase was marred by early setbacks, including the loss of Laura Wolvaardt, who struggled to adapt to the wet outfield conditions. India’s batting lineup remained resilient, with Harmanpreet Kaur leading the charge. Kaur emphasized the importance of teamwork, noting that every partnership contributed to the win. “It’s all about showing a good approach,” she said, reflecting on the team’s focus amid challenging conditions. The wet outfield, which made fielding difficult, was acknowledged by both teams, with Kaur praising the effort of her teammates. South Africa’s innings was characterized by inconsistency, with multiple dropped catches and a lack of sustained partnerships. Laura Wolvaardt admitted the team missed opportunities, particularly in the powerplay, and acknowledged the need for better execution in the final overs. Despite the loss, Wolvaardt praised Deepti Sharma’s performance, calling her an “exciting find” for South Africa’s future.#harmanpreet_kaur #deepti_sharma #south_africa_women #shafali_verma #india_women
India Women Pull Off Stunning Comeback in T20I Against South Africa India Women secured a thrilling 14-run victory over South Africa Women in the fourth T20I of their tour, marking a crucial turnaround after three consecutive losses. The match, played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg under challenging wet conditions, saw India’s bowlers dominate with a maiden five-wicket haul from Deepti Sharma, while the batting lineup delivered a composed performance to chase down a target of 185. The win sets up a decisive fifth and final T20I in Benoni, where India will aim to clinch the series. Deepti Sharma emerged as the star performer, taking five wickets with her off-breaks to dismantle South Africa’s chase. Despite the damp outfield and unpredictable bounce, Sharma’s precision and variation proved decisive, with four clean bowled dismissals and an LBW decision sealing the victory. Her efforts were highlighted by the dismissal of Sekhukhune, who was stumped by Richa Ghosh after a slow, loopy delivery. Sharma’s ability to adapt to the conditions was praised by teammates, with Harmanpreet Kaur hailing her as a “brilliant” all-rounder who “can contribute with both bat and ball.” India’s batting lineup also played a pivotal role, with Shafali Verma leading the charge. Verma’s aggressive strokeplay, including a six off Eliz-mari Marx and a boundary-clearing four, kept the scoreboard ticking. Her partnership with Richa Ghosh provided stability, while the team’s collective effort to finish strongly was emphasized by Kaur. “Every partnership mattered a lot,” Kaur said, noting the importance of maintaining composure in difficult conditions. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt acknowledged her team’s missed opportunities, particularly in the field.#harmanpreet_kaur #deepti_sharma #south_africa_women #shafali_verma #india_women
Smriti Mandhana holds second spot, Deepti climbs to third spot in ICC rankings India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana retained her second position in the ICC T20I batters’ rankings, while all-rounder Deepti Sharma moved up to third in the all-rounders’ chart. Mandhana, the highest-ranked Indian batter, maintained her 770 rating, just behind Australia’s Beth Mooney. Sharma’s rise followed a drop in Australia’s Ash Gardner’s position to fourth. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur also climbed to 14th, while Shafali Verma stayed at sixth in the batters’ list. Australian opener Georgia Voll made her debut in the top 10 of the women’s T20I batters’ rankings after scoring her first T20I century against West Indies. New Zealand’s Sophie Devine advanced two places to 18th following strong performances against South Africa. Rwanda’s Fanny Utagushimaninde, the youngest player to score a T20I century, debuted at 66th after her historic innings against Ghana. South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen jumped to 55th, joining Utagushimaninde in making notable strides. In the all-rounders’ rankings, Australia’s Ellyse Perry climbed two spots to 20th, while West Indies’ Qiana Joseph surged 14 places to 33rd. Stafanie Taylor of the Windies also improved to 48th. In bowling, South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba entered the top 10, moving from 11th to ninth after taking five wickets in three matches. Australia’s Georgia Wareham rose from 16th to 12th with three wickets in two games. New Zealand’s Jess Kerr reached a career-high 15th spot after taking eight wickets in the first four matches against South Africa, including a crucial three for 16 in Wellington. Ayabonga Khaka climbed to 36th, and Kim Garth moved up to 44th.#smriti_mandhana #harmanpreet_kaur #deepti_sharma #beth_mooney #shafali_verma
Smriti Mandhana leads Indian presence as Richa, Deepti land deals in women's draft for The Hundred India’s Smriti Mandhana dominated the women’s player draft for The Hundred, securing a direct signing with Manchester Super Giants alongside Australia’s Meg Lanning and England’s Sophie Ecclestone. Compatriot Richa Ghosh also made headlines after being acquired by Manchester Super Giants for £50,000 (approximately ₹61 lakh), while all-rounder Deepti Sharma joined SunRisers Leeds at a reported £27,500 (around ₹34 lakh). The auction, held on March 11, 2026, saw 178 players compete for contracts, with 28 already retained or signed by franchises prior to the event. The Hundred, set to begin on July 21 and conclude on August 16, allocated a total purse of £880,000 per women’s franchise. After direct signings and retentions, Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Southern Brave, and Trent Rockets retained £520,000 each for the draft. Manchester Super Giants, MI London, SunRisers Leeds, and Welsh Fire had slightly larger budgets, with £570,000 remaining before bidding commenced. Richa Ghosh’s £50,000 deal marked a significant milestone for her career, as the Indian wicketkeeper-batter became the first player from her country to secure a contract in the league. Manchester Super Giants’ strategic move to sign both Mandhana and Ghosh strengthened their squad, while SunRisers Leeds’ acquisition of Deepti Sharma highlighted the team’s focus on experienced all-rounders. Notably, India’s Yastika Bhatia and Sree Charani were left out of the draft, failing to attract bids. The auction underscored the competitive nature of the league, with franchises vying for talent amid limited financial resources.#smriti_mandhana #sunrisers_leeds #richa_ghosh #deepti_sharma #manchester_super_giants
