Published: May 2, 2026 at 7:07 pm
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Saturday has backed the World Cup squad despite a few tough selection calls.
“I will definitely rate this team as favourites and the team we picked today, they have the calibre to become champions,” Harmanpreet said. “No pressure, no overconfidence. T20 cricket is only about playing good cricket.”
Harmanpreet will lead India in the bid for their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy
A key challenge for the selectors has been the absence of Amanjot Kaur, with the all-rounder sidelined for a few months now. “Amanjot is our key player but she is not available. She is away from cricket for 4-5 months now. It was difficult to find someone like her, but we are trying. She got opportunities,” Kaur said.
Radha Yadav is back in the India squad
India have brought back spinner Radha Yadav to strengthen the all-round option, after impressing with the India A side in recent months.
“We have got Radha back in the side, she is also an all-rounder. It was hard to find Amanjot’s replacement. We are trying to balance the team,” the skipper said.
Fulmali is a better option: Harmanpreet
The selection meeting also saw Harleen Deol miss out on the T20I squad, with the team opting for a more aggressive middle-order approach through Bharti Fulmali.
“Fulmali is a better option in the middle order. Harleen is there in the scheme of things, she is in the Test team. But for T20Is, Fulmali is a better option,” Harmanpreet said.
Harleen Deol misses out on the T20I squad, with the team opting for a more aggressive middle-order approach through Bharti Fulmali
Despite a recent series loss in South Africa, the captain remains focused on execution, particularly in key phases of the game. “I feel that in T20s, powerplay is very important, if you are batting, you have to target runs. If you are bowling, you have to get a couple of wickets in that phase.
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“We want to work very hard for the powerplay and also for the middle overs, as that also plays a big role. We have a plan and the learning which we got from South Africa,” she said.
Skipper backs Jemimah
She also emphasized the importance of consistency in selection, backing players like Jemimah Rodrigues to continue delivering. Rodrigues has received backing after being a crucial part in India’s maiden Cricket World Cup triumph last year.
“Changing too many things doesn’t suit us. Whenever Jemimah has got the chance, she has proved the decision. With time, she will settle it,” the skipper said.
Whenever Jemimah has got the chance, she has proved the decision. With time, she will settle it,” the skipper said
“Whatever the team needs, I’m ready for that. We are going to try a lot of things in the camp, to see what we will do in the World Cup. I’m always ready to fulfill any spot for the team,” Kaur added.
The tournament is set to get underway on June 12 in England and Wales, where India will look for their maiden ICC trophy in the shortest format, after reigning supreme in last year’s 50-over Cricket World Cup. India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14.
