Opener Smriti hasn’t been able to convert her starts to big scores in recent matches. Deepti, meanwhile, has been a shadow of version of herself she was when she won the Player of the Tournament in last year’s ODI World Cup with 215 runs and 22 wickets.  | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Despite below-par performances in recent bilateral series, India stars Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma will up their game at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, believes former England captain Nasser Hussain.

Opener Smriti hasn’t 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.

Since then, the southpaw’s scores have been 13, 12, 37, 0, 32, 8 across bilaterals against South Africa and England.

Deepti, meanwhile, has been a shadow of version of herself she was when she won the Player of the Tournament in last year’s 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.

Yet, Hussain feels the Indian duo, for the lack of a better word, will be the “surprise” amidst the Women in Blue at this World Cup.

“The 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,” Hussain told reporters during a round-table interaction ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“You 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’re asking me, I would want Deepti to be the first name of the team sheet, especially if it’s a big game like a semifinal or final,” Hussain backed the Agra player when asked whether her dip in form would affect her place in the team.

India opens its World Cup campaign against arch-rival Pakistan, and it’s this match, Hussain feels, Smriti will fire on all cylinders.

“I think she’ll 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].”

On Yastika Bhatia’s return, and finishing

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

“I like Yastika at three after Smriti and Shafali. She has been smashing it everywhere. She hasn’t made that big score, she’s been getting 30s off 20-25 balls. My only issue is her injury and operation has affected her mobility between the wickets. She’s been run out twice in the England series and she’s not been mobile in the field as well. If she’s batting with Jemimah [Rodrigues], for example, who’s very quick between the wickets, you’ll 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,” the veteran cricketer-turned-broadcaster said.

Even down the order, Hussain has liked Bharti Fulmali’s striking of the ball so far, and he reiterates that Richa Ghosh’s role as a finisher will be vital for India’s campaign.

“I 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’s someone who can take a 150-total to 180 or 190, and shift the momentum.”

On India’s possible combination

Hussain feels India should play the extra batter and use Shafali as the “safety-valve” bowler, as seen in last year’s 50-over World Cup.

“I would play spin. I think it’s spin to win in women’s 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’t just plod to a par score. You have to play fearless cricket and India has done that in the games on this trip,” he explained.

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

“A variety of grounds here. At Lord’s, if you’re 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’t forget the pitch,” he advised.

Catch all the action from ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, June 12-July 5, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network

Published on Jun 13, 2026