India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said the women’s team is in “good shape” ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, while deliberately keeping details of the squad’s preparations under wraps before their departure for England.
India are set to leave on May 22 for a three-match T20I series against England, which will serve as the team’s final assignment before the World Cup begins in England and Wales next month. The side recently completed a preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where the squad trained together ahead of the marquee event.
Speaking at a press interaction organized by feminine care brand Pee Safe in Mumbai, Mandhana made it clear that the team did not want to publicly discuss too many tactical details before the tournament. “The camp has gone well, and I would like to keep it at that. I would not like to say any specifics of what we have worked on because we are heading to a World Cup,” Mandhana said.
While avoiding specifics, the India opener stressed that the overall mood and fitness levels within the camp had been encouraging, with players putting in extensive work behind the scenes ahead of the tournament. “But what I would say is that all the girls are looking in good shape, they have been practicing really well, and a lot of hard work has gone behind it.”
India will begin their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on June 14, with the team entering the tournament among the favorites after a strong run in T20 cricket over the last year. The upcoming series against England is expected to help the side settle and adapt to local conditions before the World Cup officially begins.
Mandhana said the focus within the group remained firmly on preparation and giving themselves the best chance of bringing home the trophy. “We are prepping for the World Cup, and we will leave for a series before it. The preparations have been going well, and I hope that we keep working hard and make India proud and bring the cup back home.”
Apart from speaking about the team’s preparations, Mandhana also interacted with school-going children during the event and reflected on how much interest younger audiences now show towards women’s cricket and sport in general. The India vice-captain said she was often surprised by the kind of questions children ask during such sessions.
Mandhana added that one of the most important things she tries to communicate during such interactions is that sport can now be pursued seriously as a profession, especially for young girls looking to build careers in cricket. “For me it’s very important to give them a message firstly how sports and cricket have a career and you can actually make a career out of it.”
She also stressed the importance of enjoying the process rather than focusing entirely on outcomes, saying that following one’s passion remained the most important lesson she hoped to pass on. “The other important thing for me which I try and tell is to enjoy the process and what they do…I just really want all the kids to enjoy and follow their passion so that’s one message that I give to the young kids.”
India’s World Cup campaign begins on June 14, with the team aiming to convert years of promise into a first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.
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