India names experienced squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
- BCCI announces 15-member squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur on May 2
- Team combines ODI World Cup-winning core with emerging players
- India placed in Group A alongside Australia, South Africa and Pakistan
- Tournament to be held in England from June 12 to July 5
- India opens campaign against Pakistan on June 14
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced a 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with Harmanpreet Kaur set to lead the side for a fifth time in the tournament. The squad was confirmed on May 2 as preparations begin for the competition scheduled in England.
The team retains a core group of players who were part of India’s ODI World Cup-winning campaign in 2025, alongside a set of younger players who have emerged in recent domestic and international fixtures. Smriti Mandhana has been named vice-captain.
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Captain | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Vice-Captain | Smriti Mandhana |
| Batters | Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali |
| Wicket-keepers | Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia |
| All-rounders | Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani |
| Bowlers (Pace) | Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud |
| Bowlers (Spin) | Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma |
India enters the tournament with significant momentum after securing its maiden ODI World Cup title in 2025. The continuity in squad selection suggests a focus on stability, with management opting to build on an established combination rather than introduce large-scale changes.
The tournament format features 12 teams divided into groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. India has been placed in a competitive Group A that includes Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
India’s campaign will begin with a match against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The team will then face the Netherlands on June 17 in Leeds, followed by South Africa on June 21 and Bangladesh on June 25 in Manchester. The group stage concludes with a match against Australia on June 28 at Lord’s in London.
The final of the tournament is scheduled to be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5. The venue has historically hosted major international fixtures and is expected to draw significant attention for the concluding match.
The squad composition reflects a balance across batting, bowling, and all-round capabilities, though performance in English conditions and adaptability against top-ranked teams will remain key factors in determining India’s progression in the tournament.