Yastika Bhatia impresses on Women's CPL debut, Shikha Pandey wrecks Barbados Tridents

Yastika Bhatia impressed on her WCPL debut with a composed 35, while Shikha Pandey starred with three wickets as Trinbago Knight Riders beat Barbados Tridents by 21 runs. Pooja Vastrakar endured a disappointing outing with both bat and ball.Yastika Bhatia and Shikha Pandey impressed for Trinbago Knight Riders in the WCPL opener. Courtesy: CPL T20Yastika Bhatia made an assured start to her Women’s Caribbean Premier League career, while Shikha Pandey produced a match-winning display as Trinbago Knight Riders defeated defending champions Barbados Tridents by 21 runs in the tournament opener at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, on Saturday.Asked to bat first, Knight Riders posted 155 for 10 in 20 overs after a strong opening partnership between Yastika and Laura Harris. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter looked comfortable on her WCPL debut, scoring 35 off 28 balls, including six fours. She added 67 with Harris, who provided the aggression by smashing 38 off 19 balls, with four fours and three sixes.Also Read: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana slammed for Shafali Verma sendoff against IndiaYastika was stumped by Mandy Mangru off Qiana Joseph early in the 11th over, triggering a mini-collapse as Trinbago slipped from 93 for two to 133 for six. Madeline Penna's 27 off 21 balls, however, helped the Knight Riders reach a competitive total. SHIKHA PANDEY TURNS THE GAME ON ITS HEADThe Tridents appeared to be in the contest for much of their chase. Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph put on 40 for the opening wicket, while Kiran Navgire's 28 off 21 balls and Maddy Green's 24 off 16 kept Barbados within striking distance. But with the score at 107 for four in the 13th over, their chase unravelled.Pandey was at the heart of the collapse. The Indian seamer first dismissed Matthews for 19 off 13 balls before removing Naijanni Cumberbatch and Afy Fletcher to finish with impressive figures of 3.4-0-17-3. She also took two catches and was named Player of the Match. Her economy rate of 4.63 proved crucial as Barbados struggled to sustain partnerships. Deandra Dottin and Samara Ramnath claimed two wickets apiece as the Tridents were bowled out for 134 in 18.4 overs.For Pooja Vastrakar, it was a night to forget. The India all-rounder struggled with both bat and ball, conceding 23 runs from her two overs without taking a wicket. She then managed just two runs off three balls before being dismissed by Dottin.Yastika and Pandey will look to build on their impressive starts when Knight Riders face Jamaica Express on September 10 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.Brief scores of Indians in the Trinbago Knight Riders vs Barbados Tridents matchYastika Bhatia: 35 off 28 balls (6 fours)Shikha Pandey: 8 off 2 balls; 3.4-0-17-3, 2 catchesPooja Vastrakar: 2 off 3 balls; 2-0-23-0Kiran Navgire: 28 off 21 balls (2 fours, 1 six)- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 6, 2026 18:08 IST