• Source:JND
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Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Harleen Deol's omission from India's T20 World Cup team reflects a deliberate middle-order selection move, as Amita Sharma, chairperson of the selection committee, specified they believed Bharti Fulmali would excel in that role. The BCCI announced its 15-member squad for the tournament, with Harmanpreet Kaur captaining and Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. Harleen, who participated in the ODI World Cup last year, was omitted from the T20 World Cup lineup. She remains in the Test team, with the decision based strictly on format requirements.

Harleen Deol's omission fueled a significant debate. In WPL 2026, Up Warriorz opted to retire her out during their match against Delhi Capitals, where she compiled a resilient 46 off 36 balls with three overs left while chasing 158. This strategic move became one of the year's notable events, as tactical retirements are uncommon in cricket.

Harleen responded with an impressive performance in her next match. Facing the Mumbai Indians, she scored 64 off 39 balls, hitting 12 fours, and secured her team's first win of the season. Although she was named Player of the Match for her comeback, this did not change Team India's T20 World Cup lineup.

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Amita Sharma explains Harleen Deol's omission

When asked about Harleen's omission, Sharma revealed that they had space for only one middle-order batsman, and the selectors thought that Fulmali would fit that role perfectly.

“Harleen ek middle-order mein hamare paas jo slot tha, toh I think mujhe lagta hai ki aur meri team ko bhi ye lagta hai ki Fulmali thoda better option tha", Amita Sharma told reporters.

She also revealed that Harleen is still a part of the Test team, but Fulmali is better in the shortest format. “Harleen obviously hamari scheme of things mein hai aur usko hum Test ke liye humne rakha hai. Lekin abhi T20 ke liye Fulmali thoda better option.” (Harleen is obviously in our scheme of things, and we have kept her for the Test. But right now, for T20S, Fulmali was a slightly better option)," she added.

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Fulmali earned selection on the back of her strong form. She was part of India's T20I side and impressed during the WPL. Her aggressive performances in the WPL drove the selectors to choose her as a dynamic middle-order batter.

Harleen's performance in T20S has not worked in her favor, as she scored 298 runs in 26 T20Is with an average including one fifty. Consequently, she has not been included in the Indian women's T20I team.

The selectors delivered a clear decision. Harleen was considered for the middle order, but Fulmali was chosen instead.




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