India batter Bharti Fulmali struck an unbeaten 56 off 40 deliveries as India defeated the West Indies by 26 runs in a ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up fixture in Cardiff on 9 June, with the middle-order batter declaring the team is firmly 'on the right track' ahead of the tournament.

India posted a total of 179 before their bowlers successfully defended it, giving the squad a confidence-boosting result as they continue to acclimatise to English conditions.

Fulmali's Match-Winning Knock

Arriving at a crucial stage of the innings, the 30-year-old anchored India's middle order after a strong start at the top, remaining unbeaten to guide the side to a challenging total. The knock underlined her push for a more prominent role in India's T20 setup and offered selectors a timely reminder of her composure under pressure.

Fulmali's contribution was complemented by a disciplined bowling effort that restricted the West Indies and sealed a comprehensive victory.

What Fulmali Said

'I am very excited because playing in a World Cup is everyone's dream. It is very important how you perform in the warm-up games because it makes things much easier for the main matches ahead. You get to understand the conditions and the pitches. So winning is very important,' she said in a video shared on social media platform X.

The batter also credited prior international exposure for her current form. 'Before this, I got opportunities in the Australia series and in South Africa, and that experience is helping me now,' she added.

Early Arrival Paying Dividends

India's decision to travel to England well ahead of the tournament has been a deliberate strategic choice, and Fulmali believes it is already bearing fruit. 'My preparation has been going according to plan, and our practice sessions have also been very good. We arrived here quite well in advance, which is a big advantage for us. So, we are on the right track,' she said.

Notably, adapting to English pitches — which tend to offer more seam movement and variable bounce compared to subcontinental surfaces — can take time, making early arrival a genuine competitive edge.

Squad Depth on Show

The 26-run victory over the West Indies was as much a statement about India's squad depth as it was about individual performances. Multiple players used the fixture to stake their claim for places in the playing XI, with the bowling unit in particular impressing in defence of the total.

This is the kind of form India will need to sustain as they chase a maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup title — a prize that has eluded them despite multiple tournament appearances.

What's Next for India

India are scheduled to face hosts England in another warm-up fixture before their campaign begins in earnest. That match will offer a stiffer test and a further opportunity to finalise combinations ahead of the group stage. With momentum building and conditions becoming familiar, India will look to carry this form into the tournament proper.