Mumbai, India — May 2, 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially announced India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur set to lead the side. The global tournament will be held from June 12 to July 5 across England and Wales.
India, yet to win a Women’s T20 World Cup title, will begin its campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 in a high-stakes group-stage clash.
Squad Highlights: Fresh Faces and Key Returns
The selection committee finalized the squad following a meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The team features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
- Uncapped pacer Nandini Sharma earns a call-up after an impressive domestic and league season
- Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia returns to the squad
- Pratika Rawal misses out on T20 selection but is included in the Test squad
- All-rounder Amanjot Kaur ruled out due to injury
Nandini Sharma has been rewarded for her standout performances in the Women’s Premier League, where she picked up 17 wickets in 10 matches.
Tournament Build-Up: England Series Before World Cup
Ahead of the World Cup, India will face England Women’s Cricket Team in a three-match T20I series starting May 28. The series is expected to serve as a crucial preparation phase for the global tournament.
Group of Death: India in Group 1
The 12-team tournament is divided into two groups of six, with India placed in a highly competitive Group 1.
Group 1:
Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
Group 2:
West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland
Group 1 is widely seen as the “group of death,” featuring multiple top-ranked teams and intense rivalries.
IND vs PAK Showdown on June 14
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament will see India take on Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston. The high-voltage encounter is expected to draw global attention.
India will also face strong contenders like Australia and South Africa during the group stage, making their path to the knockout rounds highly competitive.
Key Match Schedule (IST)
- June 14: India vs Pakistan – 7:00 PM, Edgbaston
- June 17: India vs Netherlands – 7:00 PM, Headingley
- June 21: South Africa vs India – 7:00 PM, Old Trafford
- June 25: India vs Bangladesh – 7:00 PM, Old Trafford
- June 28: Australia vs India – 7:00 PM, Lord’s
Knockouts:
- Semi-final 1: June 30
- Semi-final 2: July 2
- Final: July 5 at Lord’s
India Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Richa Ghosh
- Yastika Bhatia
- Harleen Deol
- Nandini Sharma
- Renuka Singh
- Sneh Rana
- Shree Charani
- Kranti Goud
- Sayali Satghare
Test Squad Also Announced
Alongside the T20 squad, India also named its squad for the one-off Test against England, scheduled from July 10 to 13 at Lord’s. Pratika Rawal has been included in the red-ball squad.
Outlook: Can India Break the Title Drought?
India enters the tournament with strong momentum after winning the ODI World Cup last year. With a balanced squad and experienced leadership, the team will be aiming to secure its first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title.
