In a much-anticipated move, the BCCI has named India’s 15-member squad for the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, hosted across England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will lead a revamped side featuring the return of wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia post-ACL surgery and exciting inclusions like pacer Nandani Sharma and Bharti Fulmali, as India eyes redemption after a humiliating 4-1 T20I series loss to South Africa in April 2026. The promising all-rounders, Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam, missed out due to injuries.
Becoming the third team to announce after hosts England (April 28) and New Zealand (April 29), India gears up for a high-stakes campaign starting against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 14th June 2026 (Sunday) from 7 PM IST.
India’s Squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur ©, Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav.
The selection signals calculated risks. Yastika’s comeback adds middle-order firepower and glovework stability, while Nandani earns her spot after a stellar Women’s Premier League season, where she ended as the leading wicket-taker for the Delhi Capitals, and the joint 2nd highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets at an average of 18.58 and an economy of 8.31 in 10 innings, including a five-wicket haul in 10 matches with the ball, putting her into the spotlight in the 4th edition of the tournament in 2026.
Bharti Fulmali, a power-packed finisher, bolsters the depth. This selection comes from a chastening tour of South Africa, where Laura Wolvaardt’s hosts dominated from April 17-27. South Africa clinched the series early with a 9-wicket rout in the third T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on April 22, following 6-wicket and 8-wicket wins in the first two. India salvaged pride with a 14-run victory in the fourth at Wanderers on April 25, but crumbled by 23 runs in the dead rubber at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on April 27. These seam-friendly conditions exposed India’s vulnerabilities ahead of English pitches.
History weighs heavily: India crashed out in the league stage of the 2024 edition (hosted by Bangladesh but played in the UAE) after a heartbreaking 9-run loss to Australia in their final group game. Placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Pakistan, India opens against the rivals at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 14 (Sunday, 7 PM IST), Match 6 of the tournament. Expect fireworks in this subcontinental showdown.
India’s dress rehearsal action awaits as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led unit heads to England for a three-match T20I series from May 28 to June 2, priming them perfectly before the World Cup. Post-tournament, a one-off Test at Lord’s from July 10-13 caps the tour. With Mandhana’s elegance at the top, Deepti’s all-round wizardry, and Renuka’s pace spearhead, Harmanpreet has the tools for a deep run, if they conquer swinging balls and past demons.
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