India’s three-match T20I series against England has become an important final selection test before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with injuries to key all-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam forcing the management to reconsider combinations only weeks before the tournament starts.
India had begun shaping a stable structure around the two all-rounders during last month’s T20I series in South Africa, but both were later ruled out with major injury setbacks. Amanjot suffered a back problem, while Kashvee picked up a knee injury shortly after making her T20I debut and eventually needed surgery.
Those absences have reopened competition for several places in the XI and made the England series, which begins in Chelmsford, even more significant. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said India must now balance the need to test options with the importance of building confidence before the World Cup. “We have both things in our mind, at the same time we are looking for the combination and at the same time we are looking to win also because if you win before the World Cup that always gives you a lot of confidence,” Harmanpreet said in pre-series presser.
India’s top order is largely settled, with experienced players filling the first six positions. However, the absence of Amanjot and Kashvee has created questions around the lower middle order and the overall all-round balance of the team.
Bharti Fulmali is one of the players who could gain from the reshuffle. The powerful middle-order batter has played only five T20Is since debuting against England in 2019, but she has continued to stand out in domestic cricket with her ability to lift the scoring rate late in an innings. Her presence gives India a genuine power-hitting option in the lower order.
Shreyanka Patil also adds flexibility to the squad. The off-spin all-rounder can contribute in different phases, giving India another way to balance the XI, especially in conditions where spin may play a major role during the World Cup.
Yastika Bhatia’s return gives India further depth. The wicketkeeper-batter has not played for India since 2024 after undergoing knee surgery last year, but her comeback provides cover at the top of the order and another keeping option alongside Richa Ghosh.
Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav is another notable returnee. Radha last featured in a T20I during India’s previous tour of England, where she delivered an impressive all-round performance at Old Trafford. She also had a strong Women’s Premier League season this year, contributing with bat and ball while showing improvement as a batter higher in the order.
Harmanpreet admitted that India had expected Amanjot and Kashvee to play important roles at the World Cup before injuries changed their plans. “Amanjot and Kashvee have been very impressive talent for us, but unfortunately as they’re not available, we do have a lot of combinations in our mind and let’s see what is working for us” she said.
The India captain believes the England series will give the team its clearest indication of the best combinations before the tournament. “These three matches will give us more clarity going ahead to the T20 World Cup because earlier — as Amanjot was there, Kashvee was there — we knew how things are going to be but now, new players in the side and hopefully we’ll try to give them as much opportunity so that they can be ready for the T20 World Cup,” Harmanpreet said.
England are also managing injury concerns, with captain Nat Sciver-Brunt still recovering from a calf issue. The hosts recently beat defending champions New Zealand 2-1 in a T20I series despite being without several senior players.
For Harmanpreet, the tour also has personal meaning. She made her T20I debut in England during the 2009 Women’s T20 World Cup, and returning to the country with hopes of winning the trophy adds further motivation. “It will be a dream come true for any cricketer who got their debut in England and then winning the World Cup in England,” Harmanpreet said.
India will begin the T20I series against England in Chelmsford before the matches move to Bristol and Southampton. The World Cup starts on June 12, with India placed in Group A alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Harmanpreet’s team will open their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham.
