At 30, Bharti Fulmali is finally beginning to get the recognition her long, grinding journey deserves. A middle-order batter hailing from Amravati, Maharashtra, Bharti made her domestic debut at just 13, and swiftly rose through the ranks, representing India at the U-19, U-23, senior, and zonal levels. She made a brief appearance on the international stage in 2019 but it’s her recent performances for the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, that have brought her well-earned attention and a bit of the limelight she’s long worked towards.
Bharti’s aggressive batting style always kept her a step ahead of the competition. At just 13, she broke into the Vidarbha Under-19 team, showing early signs of the power-hitter, she would become. By 17, she had made her senior women’s T20 debut in the 2011-12 season, where her ability to clear the boundary with ease began turning heads. Her growth continued steadily, and in the 2015-16 season, she was named captain of the Vidarbha Under-23 team.
Bharti was at her best during the 2018-19 Senior Women’s Challenger Trophy, a tournament that marked a significant milestone in her career. Representing India Blue, she finished as the second-highest run-scorer, just behind Harleen Deol, with 114 runs in three matches. Her standout performance came in the final, where she scored a composed 69, her highest of the tournament under pressure. Although India Blue lost the final, her efforts earned her appreciation. Earlier, she had also played a vital unbeaten knock of 45 against India Green.
The tournament caught the eye of national selectors, and soon after, Bharti earned her maiden T20I call-up, making her debut for India in March 2019 against England. However, Bharti’s international debut didn’t quite go as planned. In the two T20Is she played, she scored 18 and 5 runs respectively – brief outings that didn’t allow her much time to settle or showcase her full potential.
With limited opportunities at the international level, she soon found herself out of the national setup. But Bharti didn’t let the setback hold her back. She returned to the domestic circuit with quiet determination, continuing to perform consistently for Vidarbha and keeping herself in the reckoning with strong, steady displays season after season.
It was the WPL that finally brought Bharti the recognition she had long deserved. After a strong 2023-24 domestic season, she was handed a WPL contract in 2024, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Harleen Deol. Though she featured in only three matches that season, Bharti made her presence felt, scoring a quickfire 42 in one game and an unbeaten 21 in another.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the right-handed batter was retained by Gujarat Giants, and she quickly proved why. She started the season with an unbeaten 40 off 29 balls against Delhi Capitals, setting the tone for what would be a series of impactful performances. Her best came in Gujarat’s final league game, where she blasted 61 off just 25 balls, showcasing her aggressive batting style.
Bharti followed it up with a crucial 30 off 20 balls in the eliminator against Mumbai Indians. Though all three matches ended in defeats for Gujarat, Bharti’s performances were far from unnoticed. The consistency and flair she demonstrated on a stage as high-profile as the WPL gave her a chance to showcase her talent to a wider audience.
In a country like India, where the sheer magnitude of talent often leads to some gems being overlooked, Bharti Fulmali has managed to carve out her own visibility. Bharti has shown that her talent is undeniable, reminding everyone that even those who toil in the shadows can shine when given the right opportunity.
Loves all things female cricket
Related Articles
