{"id":179867,"date":"2026-06-12T20:28:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T01:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179867"},"modified":"2026-06-12T20:28:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T01:58:51","slug":"smriti-mandhana-deepti-sharma-will-find-form-at-womens-t20-world-cup-2026-nasser-hussain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179867","title":{"rendered":"Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma will find form at Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026: Nasser Hussain"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

Despite below-par performances in recent bilateral series, India stars Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma will up their game at the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026, believes former England captain Nasser Hussain.<\/p>\n

Opener Smriti hasn\u2019t been able to convert her starts to big scores in recent matches. The last time she notched up a half-century in the format was in February, when she smacked a 55-ball 82 against Australia in the last of a three-match T20I series.<\/p>\n

Since then, the southpaw\u2019s scores have been 13, 12, 37, 0, 32, 8 across bilaterals against South Africa and England.<\/p>\n

Deepti, meanwhile, has been a shadow of version of herself she was when she won the Player of the Tournament in last year\u2019s ODI World Cup with 215 runs and 22 wickets. Since the start of this year, in the shortest format, she had a five-match wicketless streak which broke with a five-wicket haul in the fourth match during the South Africa series. She even got some runs with the bat, but consistency has been lacking from the experienced all-rounder.<\/p>\n

Yet, Hussain feels the Indian duo, for the lack of a better word, will be the \u201csurprise\u201d amidst the Women in Blue at this World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two have had quiet periods recently. This World Cup comes at a perfect time for them. No one will remember what happened in the bilaterals. Certain people raise their game for big tournaments,\u201d Hussain told reporters during a round-table interaction ahead of the T20 World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want street-smart people to go into battle with you and Deepti is absolutely that. She knows England very well, having played the Hundred here and a lot of games for India. They may not see it, but if you\u2019re asking me, I would want Deepti to be the first name of the team sheet, especially if it\u2019s a big game like a semifinal or final,\u201d Hussain backed the Agra player when asked whether her dip in form would affect her place in the team.<\/p>\n

India opens its World Cup campaign against arch-rival Pakistan, and it\u2019s this match, Hussain feels, Smriti will fire on all cylinders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she\u2019ll go hard at Pakistan. Her and Shafali [Verma] dovetail quite well. If Shafali can get India to a flyer, then Smriti can just sit there a bit longer. If she bats 20 overs, she will either have a 100 or pretty close to it. So, not a surprise package, but definitely a comeback package in that first game [for Smriti].\u201d<\/p>\n

On Yastika Bhatia\u2019s return, and finishing<\/p>\n

The return of wicketkeeper-batter Yastika in the T20I setup after two years has brought added stability to India\u2019s top order. Although the 25-year-old\u2019s sluggish strike rate has come under the magnifying glass, Hussain has been impressed by her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like Yastika at three after Smriti and Shafali. She has been smashing it everywhere. She hasn\u2019t made that big score, she\u2019s been getting 30s off 20-25 balls. My only issue is her injury and operation has affected her mobility between the wickets. She\u2019s been run out twice in the England series and she\u2019s not been mobile in the field as well. If she\u2019s batting with Jemimah [Rodrigues], for example, who\u2019s very quick between the wickets, you\u2019ll have to keep an eye on that. But her at No. 3 means everyone then moves down one, and it gives you a long batting line-up,\u201d the veteran cricketer-turned-broadcaster said.<\/p>\n

Even down the order, Hussain has liked Bharti Fulmali\u2019s striking of the ball so far, and he reiterates that Richa Ghosh\u2019s role as a finisher will be vital for India\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like Fulmali. She is a proper hitter of a cricket ball and in this format, players like her are worth gold dust. [On Richa] She\u2019s someone who can take a 150-total to 180 or 190, and shift the momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n

On India\u2019s possible combination<\/p>\n

Hussain feels India should play the extra batter and use Shafali as the \u201csafety-valve\u201d bowler, as seen in last year\u2019s 50-over World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would play spin. I think it\u2019s spin to win in women\u2019s cricket, especially T20s. I would play most of my spinners and a couple of seamers for balance. But if you are going to go with the extra batter, you have to get an above-par score because you know your bowling is a little bit light. You can\u2019t just plod to a par score. You have to play fearless cricket and India has done that in the games on this trip,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Speaking about India\u2019s pace attack, Hussain lauded the likes of Renuka Singh Thakur and newcomer Nandni Sharma. However, he\u2019s also suggested a horses for courses approach, underlining the importance of looking at the different kinds of pitches in England.<\/p>\n

\u201cA variety of grounds here. At Lord\u2019s, if you\u2019re there for a final or as we saw in the Test match [between England and New Zealand men], you may just want the extra seamer. Whereas Edgbaston [where India is playing Pakistan] can be pretty flat and turn a little bit. You may want the extra spinner. Don\u2019t forget the pitch,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n

Catch all the action from ICC Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026, June 12-July 5, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network<\/i><\/p>\n

Published on Jun 13, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Despite below-par performances in recent bilateral series, India stars Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma will up their game at the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026, believes former England captain Nasser Hussain. Opener Smriti hasn\u2019t been able to convert her starts to big scores in recent matches. The last time she notched up a half-century in … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":179868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-179867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2241975851.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":178152,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=178152","url_meta":{"origin":179867,"position":0},"title":"IND-W vs WI-W Women’s T20 World Cup Warm-up LIVE Updates: Windies opt to field; Harmanpreet, Deepti, Matthews out of fixture","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"INDIA: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav. WEST INDIES: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lead20Image.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lead20Image.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lead20Image.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lead20Image.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lead20Image.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":171972,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=171972","url_meta":{"origin":179867,"position":1},"title":"Smriti Mandhana backs India\u2019s newfound power-hitting strength ahead of Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India star batter Smriti Mandhana believes the team\u2019s significant improvement in the power-hitting department will hold it in good stead heading into the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins in England and Wales next month. In recent times, power-hitters such as Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2261754908.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2261754908.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2261754908.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2261754908.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2261754908.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":174538,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=174538","url_meta":{"origin":179867,"position":2},"title":"Is Harmanpreet Kaur playing in England vs India 2nd women’s T20I?","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur returned to lead the side during the second of a three-match T20I series in England in Bristol on Saturday. She missed the first match, which India won by 38 runs, as she was rested. Smriti Mandhana had led the Women in Blue in that fixture. Ahead\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2277866498.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2277866498.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2277866498.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2277866498.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2277866498.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":173614,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173614","url_meta":{"origin":179867,"position":3},"title":"ENG-W vs IND-W head-to-head: England vs India women overall stats, top-scorer, highest wicket-taker in T20Is","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India Women and England Women face each other in the first of a three-match T20I series on Thursday at the County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford. This series serves as a preparatory one for the both sides in the lead up to the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 set to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2222611608.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2222611608.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2222611608.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2222611608.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2222611608.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":173031,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173031","url_meta":{"origin":179867,"position":4},"title":"ENG-W vs IND-W T20I Series Preview: India hopes to regain rhythm against England ahead of Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India will look to regain consistency and finalise its combination in the final dress rehearsal for next month\u2019s Women\u2019s T20 World Cup when it takes on host England in a three-match series starting on Thursday. With the global event set to begin on June 12, the tour assumes added significance\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2244613575.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2244613575.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2244613575.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2244613575.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2244613575.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":179507,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179507","url_meta":{"origin":179867,"position":5},"title":"India Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Analysis: Concerns linger over lack of pace-bowling all-rounder and lower-order muscle","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Honesty and transparency are two very different ideals. For the longest time, India\u2019s squads for tournament cricket were revealed in statements that left no room for the lingering questions arising from selection calls. During Neetu David\u2019s tenure as chief selector (which concluded in November 2025), much like in the men\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781231216_image2025.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781231216_image2025.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781231216_image2025.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781231216_image2025.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781231216_image2025.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-KN5","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=179867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/179868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=179867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=179867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=179867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}