Nandani Sharma earns maiden India call-up for T20 World Cup
TL;DR
Nandani Sharma has received her first call-up to the Indian women's cricket team for the 2026 T20 World Cup in England. The 24-year-old pacer was a standout performer in the WPL, finishing as a joint-highest wicket-taker.
Key points
- Nandani Sharma earns her first India call-up for the T20 World Cup.
- She was a standout performer in the WPL, finishing as joint-highest wicket-taker.
- The Indian squad includes notable players like Yastika Bhatia and Radha Yadav.
MUMBAI : In a significant boost to her career, Delhi Capitals pacer Nandani Sharma has earned her maiden India call-up for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with the BCCI naming a 15-member squad on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has also been picked for the historic one-off Test at Lord’s from July 10, immediately after the tournament.
The uncapped Chandigarh seamer forced her way into contention with a standout debut WPL season, finishing as joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps in 10 games for runners-up Delhi Capitals. Her campaign, highlighted by a hat-trick in just her second match, marked her out as one of the season’s breakout stars.
The squad also sees the return of wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, while Anushka Sharma and Uma Chetry miss out. Injuries ruled out promising allrounders Amanjot Kaur (back) and Kashvee Gautam (knee), opening the door for Radha’s recall and strengthening India’s spin depth alongside Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani.
Explaining the omissions, chief selector Amita Sharma said Kashvee would undergo surgery, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed Amanjot could be sidelined for up to five months.
Yastika, returning after an ACL surgery that ruled her out of the 2025 ODI World Cup, last played a T20I in April 2024. Her comeback adds experience to the lower-middle order and wicketkeeping group led by Richa Ghosh.
Radha, who has featured in 89 T20Is and taken 103 wickets, returns in time for her fifth T20 World Cup, bringing experience and control to India’s bowling attack.
India will open their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham and are placed in a challenging Group A alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The squad will assemble for a pre-tournament camp at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence from May 10 before heading to England for a three-match T20I series, which will serve as preparation.
Harmanpreet, set to feature in her 10th T20 World Cup and lead India for the fifth time, will be aiming to end India’s wait for a maiden T20 World Cup title after their 50over World Cup triumph.
T20 World Cup squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Bharti Fulmali, Yastika Bhatia, Nandni Sharma, Radha Yadav
Squad for one-off Test: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana.
Q&A
Who is Nandani Sharma and why is her call-up significant?
Nandani Sharma is a 24-year-old pacer from Delhi Capitals, and her call-up is significant as it marks her debut in the Indian women's cricket team for the T20 World Cup.
What were Nandani Sharma's achievements in the WPL?
In the WPL, Nandani Sharma finished as a joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 10 matches, including a hat-trick in her second game.
What other players were included in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup?
The squad includes wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, while Anushka Sharma and Uma Chetry have been excluded due to injuries.
