Sushma Verma joins TKR as Yastika Bhatia exits for India A duty in WCPL 2026
Synopsis
Sushma Verma's call-up to Trinbago Knight Riders for the WCPL 2026 knockouts is more than a squad reshuffle — it is her first taste of top-flight franchise cricket in over two years. With her last international cap dating back to 2021, this high-stakes opportunity in a title-chasing side could be the revival she has been quietly building toward.
Key Takeaways
Sushma Verma has replaced Yastika Bhatia in the Trinbago Knight Riders squad for the WCPL 2026 knockouts.
Yastika Bhatia exits to captain India A in a three-match ODI series against Australia A , beginning Sunday in Mohali .
Sushma's last international appearance was in 2021 ; her only prior franchise stint was with Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2023 .
She becomes the sixth Indian player in the WCPL 2026, joining Shikha Pandey (TKR), Kiran Navgire , Harleen Deol , and Pooja Vastrakar (Barbados Tridents).
TKR have qualified directly for the final (Thursday); Barbados Tridents vs Guyana Amazon Warriors play the only playoff on Wednesday .
India wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma has been drafted into the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) squad as a replacement for Yastika Bhatia ahead of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2026 knockouts. The move comes on 15 September 2026, with Yastika stepping away to lead India A in a three-match one-day series against Australia A, set to begin on Sunday in Mohali.
Sushma's Long Road Back to Top-Flight Cricket
The inclusion marks a significant return to competitive cricket for Sushma Verma, who has been on the fringes of Indian women's cricket for several years. Her last international appearance came in 2021, in an ODI against South Africa Women on home soil. She was part of the Indian squad as recently as 2023 for a T20I tri-series in South Africa — which also featured West Indies — but did not feature in a single match during that tour.
On the franchise front, her only prior appearance in a women's league was with the Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023. This WCPL stint, therefore, represents her first return to franchise cricket in over two years and her most high-stakes assignment in recent memory.
What Sushma Said
The wicketkeeper-batter expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity ahead of the knockouts. 'It's special to be part of the WCPL, and I am grateful to the Knight Riders set-up for this opportunity,' Sushma said, as quoted by Cricinfo. 'I feel it is the fruit of the hard work I have put into my T20 game.' According to reports, she has been specifically working on expanding her six-hitting abilities to bolster her T20 credentials.
Indian Players' Strong Presence in WCPL 2026
Sushma's addition makes her the sixth Indian player currently featuring in the WCPL. TKR already include India fast bowler Shikha Pandey in their ranks. On the other side, Barbados Tridents feature India internationals Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, and Pooja Vastrakar. The strong Indian contingent underscores the growing global demand for Indian women cricketers in franchise leagues.
WCPL 2026 Playoff Picture
Trinbago Knight Riders, the 2022 WCPL champions, have secured a direct entry into the final after topping the four-team standings. The only playoff match will be contested between Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for Thursday. TKR will be looking to leverage home support and squad depth as they chase another title.
With Sushma stepping in at a high-pressure juncture, all eyes will be on how quickly she adapts to conditions in the Caribbean — and whether this opportunity serves as the springboard back to the Indian national reckoning.
Point of View
Yet a franchise has backed her for a knockout campaign — something the national selectors have not done in five years. The real question is whether a WCPL final appearance will push the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors to reassess, or whether franchise form and national recall remain two parallel tracks that rarely converge for domestic stalwarts.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Yastika Bhatia leave Trinbago Knight Riders before the WCPL 2026 final?
Yastika Bhatia left TKR to captain India A in a three-match one-day series against Australia A, beginning Sunday in Mohali. The India A assignment took priority over her WCPL commitments, prompting TKR to bring in Sushma Verma as her replacement.
When did Sushma Verma last play international cricket?
Sushma Verma last played an international match in 2021, in an ODI against South Africa Women in India. She was included in the squad for a 2023 T20I tri-series in South Africa but did not play a single game.
How many Indian players are in WCPL 2026?
With Sushma Verma's inclusion, there are now six Indian players in the WCPL 2026. Shikha Pandey is with TKR, while Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, and Pooja Vastrakar represent Barbados Tridents.
What is the WCPL 2026 playoff schedule?
Trinbago Knight Riders have qualified directly for the final after finishing top of the four-team standings. Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors will contest the only playoff match on Wednesday, with the final scheduled for Thursday.
Has Sushma Verma played franchise cricket before?
Yes, but only once — Sushma Verma played for Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023. Her call-up to TKR for the WCPL 2026 knockouts is her first franchise cricket appearance in over two years.
