The biggest goal is to win the World Cup and be the No.1 keeper for India: Yastika Bhatia

India women wicketkeeper-batter, Yastika Bhatia, expressed that she aims on becoming the first pick keeper for the national side. Notably, Yastika has been roped in as team India’s main wicketkeeper for their forthcoming tour of Bangladesh.

The two sides will contest in a multi-format series which includes three T20Is followed by as many ODI matches, slated to begin on Sunday, July 9. Ahead of the series against Bangladesh, Yastika opened up on her journey, experiences and desire to be the main wicketkeeper of the national team and win the World Cup.

“The biggest goal is to win the World Cup for India. The other goal that comes with that is to be a matchwinner for India, like Harry di (Harmanpreet Kaur) or Smriti di (Mandhana). They are dependable – the team can depend on them to move the match in any direction, so I want to be such a player who wins the game from any situation,” Yastika told Wisden.

“I want to be the No.1 keeper for India also and the world. That is also my goal. And I want to become the fittest player in India,” she added.

Not going to stop here, lot to achieve: Yastika Bhatia

Yastika has featured in 15 T20Is, 19 ODIs, and one Test and garnered 146, 478, and 22 runs, respectively. The keeper-batter further highlighted her hustle during her school days and how she had to let go of studies in order to pursue her passion.

“Managing studies with cricket was the most difficult thing I’ve faced in my life. My grandfather wanted me to be a doctor so I used to study a lot. I have hustled a lot for this. But after class 12, I took a decision that this is not going to continue. I have to give my full time to cricket,” added Yastika.

“I cannot do well in both fields (study and sport), so I have to choose. I chose cricket and that was a good decision. I’m not going to stop here. I have to achieve a lot,” she concluded.