ENG W vs IND W 2026: Why is Harmanpreet Kaur not playing in 1st T20I?

An unusual site came to the fore as Smriti Mandhana and Charlie Dean came out for the toss for the first T20I of the series between England Women and India Women at Chelmsford on Thursday, May 28. Fans of both sides were perplexed as to why the respective captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, did not take part in this match.

Speaking of the toss, it went in favour of the hosts, England, who invited the Indian team to bat first. After the toss, it was confirmed officially that Tilly Corteen-Coleman would be making her England debut, while the Indians also brought in the likes of Yastika Bhatia, replacing the experienced campaigner Harmanpreet. 

Why are Harmanpreet and Nat Sciver-Brunt not playing the first T20I?

Smriti, Harmanpreet's deputy and the stand-in captain for this match, stated that the mainstay skipper has missed the match due to being unfit. Charlie, England's skipper, on the other hand, said that the regular skipper is recovering from her calf injury, which has ruled her out of the ongoing series.

Speaking of the match, the Indians had a horrendous start, with Smriti departing for a golden duck, and shortly thereafter, her opening partner Shafali Verma also succumbed five balls later. Lauren Bell took both the breakthroughs, with the visiting side under a tremendous amount of pressure. India badly needed Harmanpreet's services, but Yastika played the perfect filler role, smashing an unbeaten half-century at the time of writing.

Yastika, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, made light work of the English attack, taking the bowlers to cleaners to collect quick runs. She also stitched a century stand with experienced batter Jemimah Rodrigues, as the Women in Blue made a strong comeback in the match. As of writing, India are 111 for the loss of two wickets at the end of 11 overs. Both Jemimah and Yastika have crossed their respective fifties.