The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced India’s 15-member squad for the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026, with Harmanpreet Kaur continuing as captain and Smriti Mandhana retaining the vice-captaincy. India will enter the tournament as one of the strongest teams after an outstanding run-in international cricket over the last two years. The team recently lifted the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 title and also remains the defending Asian Games gold medalist. With another major tournament around the corner, the selectors have once again shown faith in the core group that has delivered consistent success for the country.
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 is expected to be played from September 1 to September 13, and India will be aiming to reclaim the continental title. The squad is very similar to the one selected for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, showing that the team management wants to maintain stability ahead of another important event. Most of the senior players have kept their places after performing well in recent tournaments, while a few young cricketers have also been rewarded for their impressive performances. The balanced squad gives India quality batting, experienced all-rounders and a strong bowling attack.
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement is the inclusion of Gunalan Kamalini, who replaces Yastika Bhatia as India’s backup wicketkeeper behind Richa Ghosh. The young wicketkeeper-batter has impressed everyone with her performances in domestic cricket and the Women’s Premier League (WPL), earning another opportunity to represent India. The selectors clearly see her as one of the brightest young talents in the country. Her inclusion also strengthens India’s batting depth and gives the team another exciting option for the future.
India have also continued to back several youngsters who received their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup call-ups earlier this year. Bharti Fulmali, Nandni Sharma, Sree Charani and Kranti Gaud have all retained their places after making strong impressions with consistent performances. Their selection shows that the management is not only focusing on winning the Asia Cup but also preparing a squad that can serve Indian cricket for many years. The experience of senior players combined with the energy of young cricketers gives India a well-balanced team.
The experienced core of the squad remains unchanged and will once again carry the responsibility of leading India. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana continue to be the team’s biggest leaders, while Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues provide strength at the top of the batting order. Deepti Sharma remains India’s most dependable all-rounder, and Richa Ghosh continues as the first-choice wicketkeeper. In the bowling department, Renuka Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani and Prema Rawat give India a strong combination of pace and spin capable of performing in different conditions.
There are, however, a few notable absentees from the squad. All-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam continue to miss out because they are still recovering from injuries. Their absence is a setback because both players have been important members of India’s white-ball plans over the last year. Another notable change is Prema Rawat continuing in the spin-bowling group instead of Shreyanka Patil, who was part of India’s earlier plans before fitness concerns affected her availability. The selectors have clearly preferred fully fit players ahead of another busy international season.
India’s squad also has several similarities with the team selected for the 2026 Asian Games, where the defending champions will once again look to win the gold medal. The only major difference is Kamalini replacing Yastika Bhatia as the reserve wicketkeeper, while the rest of the squad remains almost unchanged. This continuity should help India maintain strong team chemistry and confidence as they prepare for two major tournaments in a short period. Keeping the same core group also allows the players to build on the understanding they have developed over recent months.
India’s squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud
With an experienced leadership group, several proven match-winners and a number of talented young players, India will once again begin the ACC Women’s Asia Cup as one of the favourites to win the title. The tournament will also provide valuable preparation ahead of the Asian Games later this year, giving the team another opportunity to continue its winning momentum. If this balanced squad performs to its potential, India will have a strong chance of adding another major trophy to an already successful period in the history of women’s cricket.
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