Yastika’s emotional return and Nandani Sharma’s dream debut power India past England
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Yastika Bhatia marked her return to international cricket with an emotional half-century as India women’s cricket team defeated England women’s cricket team by 38 runs in Chelmsford ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
India were under immediate pressure after Lauren Bell removed both Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in the opening over, reducing the visitors to 7 for 2.
But Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues responded brilliantly with a match-defining 126-run partnership for the third wicket. Rodrigues played her usual fluent knock with 69 off 40 balls, while Bhatia struck a composed 54 from 40 deliveries in her first major innings after a long injury layoff.
Bhatia had missed months of cricket following ACL surgery and rehabilitation after knee and wrist injuries disrupted her progress since last year’s T20 World Cup.
“It felt really special,” Bhatia said after the match. “There were days during rehab when no progress was visible, but I kept showing up and working.”
India lost momentum after both set batters departed in the 14th over, but the total still proved more than enough thanks to a superb bowling display led by debutant Nandani Sharma.
The 24-year-old fast bowler impressed immediately on debut, finishing with 3 for 34 and striking twice in two balls. Nandani, who starred in the Women’s Premier League earlier this year, removed Amy Jones and Dani Gibson before deceiving Issy Wong with a slower ball.
Bhatia praised the youngster’s composure, calling her debut “exceptional” and highlighting the growing depth in Indian women’s cricket.
England showed resistance through Jones, who scored her first T20I fifty since 2020, but the hosts struggled without injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and eventually fell short.
India are expected to welcome back captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the second T20I in Bristol as they continue final preparations for next month’s World Cup.
