Jemimah Rodrigues has banked on the experience in the India team to help Nandani Sharma settle in and perform at the women's T20 World Cup 2026. Nandani received her maiden call-up for the 12-team competition starting on June 12, and before that, the three-match T20 series against England starting May 28.
"Nandani has been a great player for us throughout the WPL," Rodrigues, who captained Nandani at Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026, said on the sidelines of an International Institute of Sports and Management (IISM) event in Mumbai. "When we got her, we didn't know what to expect. We knew she had the talent, but when she came on the bigger stage - the WPL, in front of the world - the way she delivered, not just in the one game, not just after the five-wicket haul, but in every single game, she was consistent. I am really looking forward to having her here.
"At the same time, I know this team is going to welcome her, prepare her well. There is a lot of experience in this team and that experience will get the best out of her."
Nandani rose to the spotlight by picking up a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in just her second WPL match. A consistent first season at WPL saw her finish with 17 wickets, the joint-most in the tournament. Injuries to Amanjot Kaur (back) and Kashvee Gautam (knee) paved the way for Nandani's call-up ahead of the T20 World Cup. She is one of the four seam bowlers India have alongside Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy.
"I would like to welcome Nandani into the squad," India head coach Amol Muzumdar said. "Really looking forward to working along with her. We have seen her exploits in the WPL and domestic cricket as well."
Ahead of the tour to England and the T20 World Cup, India will have a short camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from May 8. They will then fly to the United Kingdom on May 22 before playing the three-T20I series against England from May 28.
"Travelling to England is always a challenge. But this team and set of players is ready for it," Muzumdar said, jogging his memory back to last year when India won the T20I series 3-2. "We did have a very good T20 series last year. That was the first time in history we beat England in England in the T20 series. The experience is there, the confidence is there. All we need to do is travel well and play well."
Amanjot's injury has pushed her to the sidelines for the next four to five months. It also meant India had to move away from their Plan A. They have now included Bharti Fulmali as a lower-middle order power-hitter and Radha Yadav as a left-arm spin-allrounder, apart from an extra fast bowler in Nandani.
"It is very difficult to replace somebody like Aman because she is consistently doing well for India," Muzumdar said. "We will miss her for sure. But injuries are part of the game. She has had a bad one. She will be out of cricket for at least four to five months. I hope she recovers and comes back stronger. She is difficult to replace, but that's the way it goes."
Rodrigues also said that this Indian team is "hungrier to win again and again", coming on the back of their maiden Women's ODI World Cup win last year.