The Indian women’s cricket team gears up for a blockbuster 2026 calendar, packed with high-stakes bilateral series, marquee multi-format tours, and major ICC events. On the back of the 4th edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), 4th edition, from January 9 to February 5, split between DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
The Women in Blue squad dives into an action-filled year. Highlights include an all-format clash in Australia, a T20 World Cup in England and Wales, a historic Test at Lord’s, the Asian Games in Japan, and tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Under skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, India aims to build momentum toward global glory, blending white-ball fireworks with red-ball grit.
Post-WPL All-Format Series in Australia (February 15 to March 6).
Right after WPL concludes, India heads Down Under for a gruelling all-format series against Australia, running from February 15 to March 6. The tour kicks off with three T20Is, sharpening batting firepower ahead of the T20 World Cup. It transitions seamlessly into three ODIs, testing endurance in 50-over battles, before culminating in a one-off Test, crucial for India’s growing red-ball resurgence.
This series revives intense rivalry, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership facing Australia’s depth. Expect Smriti Mandhana’s elegant strokeplay and Deepti Sharma’s all-round wizardry to shine, as India chases series wins to fine-tune combinations.
England tour and Historic Lord’s Test in England (May 28 to July 13).
India travels to England for a three-match T20I series from May 28 to June 2, led by England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt. This white-ball skirmish sets the tone amid the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (10th edition, hosted by England and Wales from June 12 to July 5), where India could face familiar foes in the group stage.
The real showstopper follows: a one-off Test at iconic Lord’s from July 10 to 13. Returning to the Home of Cricket, India eyes a statement victory, building on recent Test exploits. Shafali Verma’s aggression and Richa Ghosh’s finishing could define this red-ball spectacle.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: England and Wales Stage Global Showdown (June 12 to July 5)
England and Wales host the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup from June 12 to July 5, 2026, promising electric cricket across iconic venues. This marquee event slots perfectly amid India’s busy schedule, following their T20I series against England (May 28 to June 2) and preceding the Lord’s Test.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s India enters as contenders; they would be keen to capitalise on the preparations from Australia and the bilateral series. Expect fierce group-stage battles, with India’s fearless generation in coordination with the experienced legends in action a key balance for a firm push for the knockout stages of the tournament. The tournament crowns T20 queens, blending home advantage for hosts Nat Sciver-Brunt’s England with India’s ambition for elusive glory.
Women’s T20 Asia Cup (Dates and Host TBA).
Hot on the heels of the Lord’s Test comes the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, with host and dates yet to be announced. India, perennial contenders, will leverage home-soil advantages if hosted nearby, targeting another title. This tournament sharpens T20 skills post-World Cup, blending regional pride with global prep, watch for young guns like Shreyanka Patil to step up.
Asian Games Glory Hunt in Japan (September 19 to October 4).
Japan hosts the 2026 Asian Games from September 19 to October 4, featuring T20I cricket. India, medal favorites after past hauls, eyes gold amid fierce Asian competition. The short format suits explosive talents like Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh making this a podium-chasing pitstop before year-end tours.
Maiden White-Ball Series Against Zimbabwe (October-November).
India caps 2026 with a landmark all-format series in South Africa, their first Test there since 2002. The white-ball leg, South Africa’s first bilateral hosting since 2023 under Laura Wolvaardt, starts with three ODIs followed by three T20Is in December, building to the Test summit.
Expect seam-friendly pitches to test India’s pace attack, led by Renuka Singh, against South Africa’s batting prowess. This finale promises fireworks, cementing India’s multi-format dominance.
2026 shapes up as transformative for Indian women’s cricket, blending bilateral battles with ICC showpieces. With Harmanpreet at the helm, the team could script milestones like a Lord’s triumph and Asian Games gold. Fans, mark your calendars, this year’s journey blends ambition, history, and unmissable drama.
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