WPL has bridged the gap between domestic and international cricket, says Radha Yadav

Indian spinner Radha Yadav opened up about returning to the T20I squad after 11 months. She credited her growth to WPL exposure and praised leaders Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana for creating an empowering environment for younger players

New Delhi: India spinner Radha Yadav has spoken about her return to the national T20I setup after an 11-month gap, revealing how work done during the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the support of the team management, and continuous learning from teammates and opponents have prepared her for the latest chapter of her international career.

Ahead of India’s ongoing campaign, the left-arm spinner also explained how the WPL has transformed the pathway to international cricket and praised senior players Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana for shaping the team’s culture.

---

Reflecting on her comeback, Radha said the time away from the Indian side allowed her to broaden both her batting and bowling skills while receiving the confidence to develop her game in her own way.

“I am rejoining the T20I team after almost a gap of 11 months. It feels good to be back. Recently, we played the WPL. In that tournament, I added quite a few things to my game, especially how to hit with more power, how to score quickly in the death overs, and how to vary my pace and use my variations better with the ball. I have worked on all those aspects of my game. The Indian team staff has also backed me a lot. They have been very open with me. They gave me the freedom to set things according to my own way. So, having that backing makes a huge difference,” Radha told JioStar.

The experienced spinner also described how improvement is a constant process, insisting that players can always find opportunities to grow by observing those around them.

“Personally, I learn a lot from everyone around me, teammates, coaches, even opponents. Learning never stops as long as you are playing the game. If you don’t understand something about your own game, you can watch others and pick up things. Watching how they bowl, how they set their field, how they handle pressure, all of it helps,” she stated.

She added that the role of a spinner remains rooted in discipline and execution rather than searching for unnecessary complexity. “Our conversations are always about how to take wickets and how to keep the run rate down. As a spinner, that is our job. We can’t do too many extra things. We have to stick to our strengths, use our variations, and keep hitting the right areas.”

Radha also highlighted the impact of the Women’s Premier League on India’s talent pipeline, saying the competition has become an important bridge between domestic cricket and the international stage.

“Not everyone gets to play a lot of cricket before stepping onto the international stage. Moving directly from domestic to international cricket is not easy. There is a huge jump in quality and pressure. Luckily, now there is the WPL, so players get some exposure to international-level competition before playing for India. That helps them adjust faster,” Radha said.

Comparing the pathway available during the early years of her career, she explained that the current generation enters the national team with far more experience.

“But in our time, it wasn’t like that. We played domestic cricket and then directly moved to internationals. There was no middle ground. Now, the young players who are coming in have already polished their skills. They adapt much faster. By the time they reach the national team, they just need a little push, some guidance on handling pressure and adapting to different situations. Nothing more,” she noted.

The left-arm spinner also credited captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana for creating an environment where new players are encouraged to settle quickly and express themselves freely.

“Credit goes to both Harman Di and Smriti Di, their inputs for the team have always been very important over the years. Whenever there is a tough situation, whether it’s with the bat, on the field, or in the dressing room, they are always there to guide us. We have seen for years how both of them have built this team. They have led from the front and also helped the youngsters coming in. They make sure that every new player feels like they belong. Whoever comes into the team gets enough freedom to express their skills and be themselves,” Radha concluded.