Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Former India batter Hemlata Kala has said that India should include Yastika Bhatia in their playing XI for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup matches.
On Sunday, June 14, India made a strong start to their campaign with a dominant 64-run win over Fatima Sana’s Pakistan at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Yastika impressed in the recent series against England after returning from a long injury layoff. In the first T20I, she scored a 31-ball half-century and finished the series with 119 runs at an average of 39.66.
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Kala, a former India chief selector as well, said Yastika is a flexible batter who can also be used in the middle order if not in the top three. However, while she backed the left-hander, Kala did not specify who should be dropped to make way for her.
“I would like to see Yastika in the playing eleven. She doesn’t 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,” Kala told PTI.
‘INDIA VS AUSTRALIA FINAL’
Kala also backed India to reach the semi-finals, citing their strong performance against Pakistan. She added that she would like to see a final between India and Australia. Kala, who represented India in seven Tests, 78 ODIs and one T20I, expressed confidence in the team’s potential to go deep in the tournament.
“With 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,” Kala added.
Against Pakistan, after opting to bat first, Smriti Mandhana’s 68 and Richa Ghosh’s 34-run cameo powered India to 170 for six.
Deepti Sharma then produced a match-winning spell of 4-0-10-5, helping India bowl Pakistan out for 106 in 17 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will now aim to carry the momentum into their next fixture against Babette de Leede’s Netherlands on Wednesday, June 17, at Headingley in Leeds.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
