It’s rare to see a squad pack so much talent, yet India’s recent practice match made it clear just how tough picking the final lineup might be ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. With options piling up fast, choices won’t come easily for the selection panel.

Battered but not broken, India still found rhythm without two key bowlers, edging past West Indies by 26 runs in Cardiff. Off the bench types stepped up, not just making up numbers - turning doubt into depth across the lineup.

India’s women make their case

When Harmanpreet Kaur wasn’t available, Smriti Mandhana took charge without delay. Right at the start, she shifted momentum with sharp intent. Her 39 runs came off just 23 balls - smooth yet forceful in rhythm. From the opening overs, pressure built under her touch. That early surge shaped what followed. India's innings found footing because of that spark.

Next up was Bharti Fulmali, keen to show what she could do just days before the first match. Not wasting time, she stepped in when things were shaky, building her half-century carefully across 40 deliveries. Her calm presence steadied India’s effort once the opening burst faded. A solid knock like that came exactly when it mattered most.

India’s bowlers stood tall alongside their teammates who’d scored runs earlier. Shreyanka Patil led with sharp accuracy, while Radha Yadav followed close behind, each breaking through at key moments. Seven wickets fell to them between overs, slowing the tempo of the West Indies’ response.

Middle-order players from the Caribbean found few clear paths forward, stumbling under constant pressure built by those deliveries. Pleased wasn’t just about the win - Mandhana saw sharper edges forming in who gets picked next. Competition bubbling up changed how she viewed the team’s shape.

"They have not got a lot of game time coming here in England. Their performance is a good headache to have. It's very important for the 15-player squad to be in good nick because it always puts everyone else under pressure as well."

Putting batters in during the middle overs lets them settle into the game. Time spent there builds confidence through real experience. Getting comfortable amid pressure makes later moments easier. What matters most shows up when the situation gets tough.

"It was especially important for the middle order to bat and I think we did really well. I think all the bowlers were brilliant to restrict them to 150."
Next up for India is a tough match against England, the host nation, while sharpening plans before the World Cup begins.

In the West Indies’ game, they’ll need to patch up soon. Not starting fast enough - that stuck out, said acting skipper Chinelle Henry. A stumble at the beginning weighed on her thoughts.

"The first six overs are something that we will have to work on. That's something we're going to need to improve on going forward," Henry said.

Though let down by the outcome, Henry found hope in how his team rallied during the latter part of the innings.

"I think how we came back in the last 12 overs was really good to see. To restrict them to under 200 was really good."

A strong highlight for the West Indies came through Deandra Dottin, the seasoned all-rounder. Her calm knock of 49 off 44 balls showed clear command throughout. Much of her time at bat carried a sense of ease.

Even under pressure, she stayed balanced. That kind of presence lifted the team’s rhythm. What stood out was how smoothly she moved between defence and attack.

Still, help failed to come from the others down the lineup, so the West Indies ended up just 26 behind what they needed. "Obviously that's the Deandra Dottin we all know," Henry added.

"Seeing her get some runs today, that's a pretty good sign heading into our first game."

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