{"id":181288,"date":"2026-06-16T17:33:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T23:03:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=181288"},"modified":"2026-06-16T17:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T23:03:21","slug":"former-india-chief-selector-hemlata-kala-wants-yastika-in-playing-xi-and-an-improvement-in-fielding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=181288","title":{"rendered":"Former India chief selector Hemlata Kala wants Yastika in playing XI and an improvement in fielding"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71110074\">Yastika Bhatia should be utilised in the upcoming games of the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup, reckons former India international and chief selector Hemlata Kala who would also want to see an improvement in the fielding department.<\/p>\n<p>India began its World Cup campaign with a thumping win over Pakistan in Birmingham on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>It effectively needs to beat either South Africa or Australia from its group to enter the semifinals.<\/p>\n<p>In the Pakistan match, India chose to play the big-hitting Bharti Fulmali over Yastika, who has a more conventional game.<\/p>\n<p>Hemlata, who served as chief selector from 2016 to 2020, a phase when India reached the finals of 2017 ODI World Cup and 2020 T20 World Cup, wanted Yastika in the playing eleven for the game against Netherlands in Leeds on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p><b>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/womens-cricket\/richa-ghosh-womens-t20-world-cup-india-vs-pakistan-innings-quotes-latest-news\/article71109455.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 \u2014 Knock against Pakistan has given me confidence, says Richa Ghosh<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would like to see Yastika in the playing eleven. She doesn\u2019t have to play one down necessarily. She can play in the middle-order also and we should use her, she also did well in the recent series against England,\u201d Kala told        <i>PTI.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Yastika usually bats at number three while Bharti batted in the middle order against Pakistan but could not contribute much.<\/p>\n<p>India\u2019s fielding has been its weakest link for a while and Hemlata would like to see a positive change.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI won\u2019t agree that we are over reliant on openers. We have good batters down the order also.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd India have to bowl as per potential. But yes fielding needs improvement. We need to save runs like other teams do (Australia and England),\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>India doesn\u2019t posses power-hitters like Australia but Hemalata doesn\u2019t see that as an issue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are better than South Africa when it comes to power hitting. We are competing with Australia. No one plays better than Harry (Harmanpreet Kaur), Shafali bats at a high strike-rate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmriti\u2019s class doesn\u2019t need power hitting. I would say game sense is much more important than power hitting. Our players have the game awareness and know how to bounce back from tough situations.<\/p>\n<p><b>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/womens-cricket\/shreyanka-patil-injury-depression-quit-sport-india-win-over-pakistan-in-womens-t20-world-cup\/article71104808.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">India\u2019s Shreyanka Patil struggled with depression, wanted to give up on cricket<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the way we played against Pakistan, we are certain to play the semifinals. As a team we have most bases covered. It is about playing well in the semifinal and if you do that you are in the final. I would like to see an India and Australia final.\u201d Hemlata also won\u2019t like to read too much into India\u2019s performance in the preceding series losses to South Africa and England.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would not read much into the performance against South Africa and England series as the management was trying out players. We have come to the World Cup with clarity in combination.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Asked if India won the ODI World Cup with the individual brilliance of Jemimah Rodrigues and not because of the team effort, she added: \u201cAll batters don\u2019t get runs at the same time. Only one or two can. One person cannot win you the tournament. There has to be a team effort for any side to win a trophy. If we win the T20 World Cup it would be because of team effort.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/womens-cricket\/hemlata-kala-urges-yastika-bhatia-in-india-t20-playing-eleven-and-better-fielding-vs-netherlands\/article71110074.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yastika Bhatia should be utilised in the upcoming games of the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup, reckons former India international and chief selector Hemlata Kala who would also want to see&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":181289,"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_feature_clip_id":0,"_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-181288","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\/Britain_India_Womens_Cricket_72746.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":173951,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173951","url_meta":{"origin":181288,"position":0},"title":"ENG-W vs IND-W, 1st T20I: \u2018Built myself from scratch, but all\u2019s well that ends well,\u2019 says Yastika Bhatia after injury comeback","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India batter Yastika Bhatia said she had to build herself from scratch after a career-threatening ACL injury, enduring months of painful rehabilitation before returning with a match-winning half-century against England in the first women\u2019s T20I. Yastika, who injured her left knee during India\u2019s preparatory camp for last year\u2019s ODI World\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","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\/1780035308_image2015.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780035308_image2015.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780035308_image2015.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780035308_image2015.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1780035308_image2015.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":175465,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=175465","url_meta":{"origin":181288,"position":1},"title":"IND-W vs ENG-W 3rd T20I: All eyes on Smriti Mandhana, middle order ahead of decider in Taunton","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India will need bigger contributions from its leadership duo of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana and its middle order as it seeks to clinch the three-match T20I in the deciding fixture at Taunton on Tuesday. The series stands locked at 1-1, with each fixture exposing different issues with the Indian\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","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\/HJkuzJPawAA_Spl.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HJkuzJPawAA_Spl.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HJkuzJPawAA_Spl.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HJkuzJPawAA_Spl.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/HJkuzJPawAA_Spl.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":172201,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=172201","url_meta":{"origin":181288,"position":2},"title":"India-W vs ECB Development XI: Shafali-Yastika secure warm-up win; T20 World Cup prep begins","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A warm-up fixture between India and England and Wales Cricket Board\u2019s Development XI got the visitor\u2019s preparation for the upcoming Women\u2019s T20 World Cup underway. A solid batting effort helped India cruise to a seven-wicket victory in Chelmsford on Monday, with batters going on past target to get some time\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","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\/1779723688_image2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779723688_image2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779723688_image2012.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779723688_image2012.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779723688_image2012.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":173031,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173031","url_meta":{"origin":181288,"position":3},"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 &quot;Sports&quot;","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":181288,"position":4},"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 &quot;Sports&quot;","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":[]},{"id":179867,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179867","url_meta":{"origin":181288,"position":5},"title":"Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma will find form at Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026: Nasser Hussain","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","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\/GettyImages-2241975851.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2241975851.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2241975851.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2241975851.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2241975851.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-La0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181288","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=181288"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181288\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/181289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=181288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=181288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=181288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}