Former England captain Nasser Hussain has identified India's bowling combination — not their batting — as the primary challenge heading into the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking at a JioStar Media Day, Hussain said the Indian team's batting depth is impressive but their ability to defend totals and nail their bowling formula remains the pressing question ahead of their tournament opener.

The Bowling Puzzle Facing Harmanpreet

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur faces a significant selection dilemma with the ball, particularly given the absence of seam-bowling all-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam. Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani, Arundhati Reddy, and Renuka Singh Thakur appear to be automatic picks, while Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, and Nandni Sharma are competing for remaining spots.

'I don't think the issue is with India's batting. I think throughout their tour here, they have batted pretty well. But just their formula with the ball, and they can't protect 170 or they are going for 170, 180, and then they are under pressure a little bit,' Hussain said. He added that key decisions — such as whether Shafali Verma bowls as the fifth or sixth option and who takes the new ball — are the conversations likely dominating India's team meetings.

Batting Depth a Genuine Strength

India's batting line-up for the tournament reads formidably: Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh all possess the ability to score at a healthy clip. Hussain noted that India — the current ODI World Cup holders — showed a clear shift in batting intent during the T20 series, with players like Jemimah and Yastika coming in and attacking from the outset rather than consolidating.

'It is just the way T20 cricket is going. If you have got batting depth... people now realise they can clear the rope and hit the boundary,' Hussain observed, pointing to the influence of the WPL in developing boundary hitters across the squad.

Richa Ghosh: Indispensable Finisher

Richa Ghosh has emerged as arguably India's most critical batting asset heading into the tournament. The wicketkeeper-batter struck a sensational 68 in the warm-up clash against England in Cardiff, snapping a lean run of scores. Since the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, Richa has maintained a strike rate of 163 in T20Is — the best among all batters in the tournament who have scored 350 or more runs in that period.

Hussain was emphatic about her value: 'Richa is absolutely vital for India... any great T20 side, men or women, have great finishers. You need a finisher that will get you 40 off 20 balls, and Richa is one that can definitely do that.' He acknowledged her role carries inherent inconsistency but argued that her match-winning ceiling makes her indispensable. 'In the third game, you will see exactly what the fuss is all about,' he said, recalling her impact in the 50-over World Cup in Visakhapatnam.

Hussain Backs Fulmali for a Spot

On Bharti Fulmali, who was brought in to add lower-order firepower alongside Richa but is yet to cement a regular place in the XI, Hussain was supportive. 'She is a proper hitter of a cricket ball. In this format, they are worth it as that's gold dust,' he said, suggesting India could opt to play an extra batter — potentially Fulmali — depending on the bowling combination they settle on.

India vs Pakistan: Opening Match on June 14

India face Pakistan in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on 14 June. The result of that match will set the tone for India's campaign, and Hussain believes Richa's finishing ability could be the difference-maker in a high-pressure fixture. How Harmanpreet resolves her bowling combination in the days remaining will be the subplot to watch as the tournament gets underway.