Yastika Bhatia Interview: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023) is to be held in South Africa from 10 to 26 February. The Indian team for the World Cup has been announced. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team will play in the T20 World Cup. India will play against England, Ireland, Pakistan and West Indies in Group B.
Before the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, Indian team’s wicket-keeper batsman Yastika Bhatia had a special conversation with Gujarati Jagran. In which she talked about her preparation for the T20 World Cup and the journey of cricket.
Yastika Bhatia said about her cricket journey, “I have been playing cricket since the age of 8
Yastika Bhatia said about her cricket journey, “I have been playing cricket since the age of 8, before that I used to play many sports. My father was very interested in cricket when we were young. Connected me and my sister with cricket. Then gradually we started getting interested in cricket as well. My elder sister has left cricket now, she has become a doctor.”
I am practicing by preparing the pitch according to the conditions in South Africa. Yastika Bhatia said, “The preparations for the T20 World Cup are going on in full swing. At the Reliance Cricket Ground in Vadodara, we have prepared the pitch according to South African conditions. So that the pitch suits us in terms of bounce.
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I have been practicing with the red ball as well, the red ball has more bounce and more movement. So I practice accordingly. I am practicing with the boys for wicketkeeping. Practicing with boys gives me the confidence that if I play well against boys, I can easily play against girls.”
Yastika will play T20 World Cup for the first time
Yastika Bhatia has also been nominated for the Female Emerging Cricketer of the Year along with Indian fast bowler Renuka Thakur. England all-rounder Ellyse Capsey and Australian fast bowler D’Arcy Brown. Fans can vote for their favorite women cricketer on the official website of ICC.
It was a proud moment to win the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games
Yastika said, ‘When India won the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games. It was a very proud moment, the gold medal was just a stone’s throw away. It was a proud feeling that we played such good cricket regardless of the result, but the way we played cricket, we are very proud of our performance. We did very well as a team and we want to continue doing so. We will play matches with the same passion in future also, whatever the result, but playing for Team India is the best feeling.
“In IPL domestic cricketers will meet and interact with foreign players, thus taking their game to a different level. Additionally, those who are already playing for India will get a chance to play more matches as well as play with foreign players. Cricketers will get new opportunities, there will be brand endorsement. Women’s IPL will be of great benefit. And this type of tournament should be organized for girls.
BCA’s contribution in the journey of cricket
Yastika said, ‘BCA’s contribution has been very important in my cricketing journey because no one else provides the facilities they provide. The exercise lasts for 365 days, camps are held. We are taken to play tournaments, before every tournament we have practice matches. The association provides us with the best coaches, trainers and all the facilities. Thus when we get facilities from childhood then definitely it motivates us to do good work.
Regarding the match against Pakistan, he said, ‘As a team, we will prepare very well, we cannot do anything except preparation, because it is in our hands. Will practice very well, be mentally prepared and go on the field with 100% preparation, so that nothing is left out on the field.
Virat Kohli is ideal
Yastika said, ‘Virat Kohli is my idol, I respect him a lot as a player. According to which he has made his fitness routine. I love his work ethic. Also, I have seen Smriti Mandhana playing since childhood as we used to play together for West Zone. Since then I have been following him, because such decent cricketers are very rare. In wicketkeeping, I follow Kiran More sir, MS Dhoni sir a lot.”
“When I am not playing cricket, I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, traveling and occasionally playing the guitar, all of which are my hobbies.
Yastika said, “I am very happy that I am going to play T20 World Cup for the first time, I am very proud of myself and my journey to reach here after so much struggle. I thank my parents and coach I want to thank him because it is because of him that I have reached this far. I thank BCCI for giving me this opportunity to play the World Cup. This is my first World Cup so there might be some issues but I have practiced a lot for this, I am mentally prepared so that I don’t face any problem and give my best.”
