Bring Yastika Back, Ex-Selector Urges Big Change Despite India’s Win Over Pakistan, Is Harmanpreet Listening?

Even after a convincing victory over arch-rivals Pakistan women’s national cricket team, former chief selector Hemlata Kala believes the Indian side still has room for improvement — and she isn’t holding back.

Kala has urged captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the team management to make a key change in the playing XI, specifically calling for the return of Yastika Bhatia.

“I would like to see Yastika in the playing eleven… she doesn’t have to play one down necessarily,” Kala said, emphasizing flexibility in her batting role. “She can play in the middle order also — we should use her.”

Why Yastika’s Inclusion Matters

Kala’s backing of Yastika comes on the heels of her recent performances. The 25-year-old southpaw scored 119 runs in the T20I series against England, including a crucial half-century.

Though her strike rate drew criticism, Kala believes her composure and adaptability make her a valuable asset in high-pressure tournaments. “Form like that cannot be ignored,” is the underlying message from the former selector.

Interestingly, India opted for Bharti Fulmali in the previous match, hoping for late-order acceleration. However, the move didn’t pay off, as she departed cheaply, managing just a single-digit score.

Middle-Order Concerns Remain

India’s middle-order performance against Pakistan also raised eyebrows.

Jemimah Rodrigues, batting at No. 3, failed to make an impact, scoring just one run before falling to Tasmia Rubab. Soon after, Bharti’s dismissal compounded the issue.

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“Despite the win, these cracks cannot be overlooked,” cricket experts suggest, pointing towards the need for a more stable and reliable middle order.

Fielding — India’s Weakest Link?

While debates continue around batting combinations, Kala highlighted another major concern — fielding.

“There is no dearth of power-hitting in this team… but fielding is where improvement is needed,” she noted, dismissing concerns raised by Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently questioned the team’s hitting capabilities.

Kala also rejected the idea that India overly depend on their star openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, insisting the squad has enough firepower across the lineup.

What’s Next for India?

India now shift focus to their upcoming clash against the Netherlands women’s national cricket team at Headingley Stadium. On paper, India are clear favourites, especially after the Dutch side’s loss to Bangladesh.

However, with semifinal qualification on the line, consistency will be key. India still need three more wins to secure their spot in the knockout stage.

Looking ahead, a bigger test awaits on June 21 against South Africa women’s national cricket team at Old Trafford Cricket Ground — a match that could define their tournament journey.

Selection Dilemma Ahead

With calls growing louder for Yastika’s inclusion, the spotlight is now firmly on Harmanpreet and the team management.

“Will India stick with the winning combination… or make a bold call before it’s too late?”

One thing is certain — in tournaments like these, even small changes can make a big difference.