The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played across England and Wales from June 12 to July 5. The announcement was made in Mumbai by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, alongside chief selector Amita Sharma and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who also addressed the media on the team’s preparation and direction ahead of the global event.
The tournament will feature 12 teams, with New Zealand entering as defending champions after their 2024 title win. For India, the focus now shifts to correcting recent inconsistencies and building momentum ahead of a high-stakes campaign.
Harmanpreet continues to lead, Mandhana named deputy
India will be led by experienced all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur, with star opener Smriti Mandhana appointed as vice-captain. The leadership pairing remains central to India’s plans, offering continuity in a format where stability at the top has often proven decisive.
Selectors back youth with bold inclusions
One of the key talking points from the squad announcement was the inclusion of uncapped batter Nandini Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, both earning spots in the 15-member squad.
At the same time, several notable omissions raised eyebrows, with Pratika Rawal and Amanjot Kaur missing out despite recent appearances. The selection signals a clear shift towards form-based choices and role-specific balance ahead of a demanding World Cup schedule.
India squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandini Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav
High-pressure group stage for India
India’s campaign begins with a marquee clash against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament. They will then face the Netherlands on June 17 at Headingley, before meeting South Africa on June 21 and Bangladesh on June 25 at Old Trafford. The group stage concludes with a major test against Australia on June 28 at Lord’s.
All matches will begin at 7:00 PM IST, giving India a consistent evening schedule across iconic English venues.
England series offers crucial preparation window
Before the World Cup, India will tour England for a three-match T20I series starting May 28, followed by matches on May 30 and June 2. The series is expected to serve as a key preparation phase, helping the team adapt to English conditions, refine combinations, and address gaps exposed in recent outings.
India enter the tournament after a 4–1 T20I series defeat against South Africa, a result that highlighted concerns in both batting consistency and bowling execution under pressure.
With a settled leadership group, a mix of youth and experience, and a crucial preparation phase ahead, India will look to reset and mount a strong challenge in one of the most competitive editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup yet.
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