Returning Yastika Bhatia Overjoyed After India's Dominant T20I Win in Chelmsford India’s women’s cricket team celebrated a commanding victory in their opening T20I of the series against England at Chelmsford, setting the stage for their upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The match, which marked India’s final T20I series before the global event, saw a standout performance from Yastika Bhatia, who returned to the T20I setup after over two years. Bhatia’s innings of 54 off 40 balls played a pivotal role in steering India to a total of 188/7, while debutant bowler Nandni Sharma made an immediate impact with her pace and accuracy. Bhatia, reflecting on her return to the team, praised Sharma’s debut performance, highlighting her ability to exploit the slower deliveries. “Nandni bowled beautifully. She came back well with her slower ones and that is her strength,” Bhatia said after the match. She also commended Sharma’s composure under pressure, noting that the 25-year-old’s 3-34 figures were crucial in the absence of first-choice pacer Renuka Singh. “She bowled beautifully to her strength and got those wickets. In a debut game, it is exceptional,” Bhatia added, underscoring the significance of Sharma’s contribution. Sharma’s performance not only provided India with a strong bowling foundation but also posed a selection dilemma for the team ahead of the World Cup. Bhatia expressed pride in the young bowler’s ability to adapt to international conditions, calling her debut a “statement” for Indian cricket. “It is exciting times for Indian cricket that whoever is coming into the XI is making their statement and making their contribution,” Bhatia said, emphasizing the team’s collective enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.#jemimah_rodrigues #icc_womens_t20_world_cup_2026 #chelmsford #yastika_bhatia #nandni_sharma
