As India put the finishing touches on their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, former captain Diana Edulji has identified the team’s opening partnership as one of the biggest factors that could determine whether they return home with the trophy.
India head into the tournament following a 2-1 T20I series defeat to hosts England, a result that highlighted a few concerns despite their status as one of the favourites. Among them was the form of opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who struggled to make a significant impact during the series.
For Edulji, India’s success in England could depend heavily on how quickly the pair settle into the tournament and provide the platform the middle order needs to flourish. “Though it was not a very good series, we have lost 2-1, we need to just focus on our opening partnership. Smriti and Shafali need to get quickly into form, and once they start getting into form, I think that will help India win (at the T20 World Cup).”
Mandhana and Verma have been central figures in India’s white-ball setup for several years, with their ability to dominate powerplays often setting the tone for the rest of the innings. If both can hit form early in the tournament, India will immediately become a more dangerous side.
Drawn alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands in Group 1, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side faces a demanding route to the knockout stages. However, Edulji is reluctant to read too much into the draw, pointing instead to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. “All the teams that are coming for the World Cup are going to be strong. You may be in any group. You have to play well on that day, and T20 is a format that, on that day (the one) who plays well — you may be the strongest or the weakest team — but the weakest team can also play well on that day and beat the strongest team”
That unpredictability, she noted, is what makes the shortest format so compelling. A couple of poor overs can quickly alter the course of a match, leaving little room for complacency even for the strongest sides.
One fixture already attracting significant attention is India’s group-stage clash against Pakistan on June 14. While matches between the two rivals are always among the most anticipated on the calendar, Edulji sees a clear favourite.”I don’t think, in women’s cricket, Pakistan has any chance against us. Though there is hype for the match as usual, but I think we are far, far better.” India’s dominance in the rivalry over the years has reinforced that belief, and expectations will be firmly on Harmanpreet’s side to begin their campaign with a statement victory.
Beyond the World Cup, Edulji also looked ahead to India’s one-off Test against England at Lord’s in July. The match will be the first women’s Test staged at the iconic venue and marks another important milestone for the game. “It is going to be a historic day for the Indian women as well as for women’s cricket. Playing at Lord’s – though we have played at Lord’s and the 2017 World Cup final was (also) played there – it is the best ground in the world; it is the Mecca of cricket.”
India’s recent rise has established them as genuine contenders in every major tournament they enter. The upcoming World Cup presents another opportunity to convert that promise into silverware and further strengthen their standing among the elite teams in women’s cricket.
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