Harmanpreet will lead India in the bid for their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy

Fresh off their triumph in the 50-over World Cup, India will be aiming to add more silverware at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, starting June 12. Harmanpreet Kaur, leading India for the fifth time at the tournament, will be eager to guide her side to the coveted title, having come close on several occasions before narrowly missing out.

The skipper will be supported in the batting lineup by key players in Smriti Mandhana, who will continue as the vice-captain, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh. All-rounder Deepti Sharma, Player of the tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, and pacer Renuka Singh will lead India’s bowling department.

Maiden appearance in World Cup for four players

This will be the maiden appearance for four players in the squad, Bharti Fulmali, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani and Kranti Gaud will be getting their first taste of an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam were not available for selection due to injury.

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The same contingent will also be used for India’s three-match T20I series against England, which will be their final preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The Indian women’s cricket team will go into the tournament having been crowned the ODI world champions last year – their maiden World Cup victory in any format.

No pressure, no overconfidence: Harmanpreet places full confidence in T20 WC squad

In Women’s T20 World Cup, India’s best finish to date came in 2020 when they made the final but lost out to Australia. At the last edition in 2024 held in Dubai, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. failed to make it past the group stage.

This year, a total of 12 teams will contest for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. For the group stage, they have been split into two equal groups of six, and after round-robin matches, the top two from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

India have been drawn in Group 1 with Australia, the most successful team in Women’s T20 World Cup history with six titles, the last two editions’ runners-up South Africa, arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

Sree Charani has been named in the World Cup and T2oI series as well as the Test match against England

Reigning champions New Zealand, hosts England and former champions West Indies are in Group 2.

India will kick off their campaign on 14 June against Pakistan, where they are a part of Group A alongside Australia, Bangladesh, Netherlands and South Africa.

Sree Charani in World Cup as well as Test squads

India will also play a Test against England at the Lord’s Cricket Ground after the World Cup starting July 10. Andhra spinner Shree Charani has been named in the World Cup and T2oI series as well as the Test match against England.

India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.

India’s squad for Test against England: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandni Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana.