The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July 2026, with 12 top teams competing for the prestigious global title.
The squad for the India Women’s National Cricket Team is yet to be officially confirmed, but key players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Shafali Verma are widely expected to feature in the tournament lineup.
This article provides a comprehensive look at the probable squad, including their roles and recent form, as well as India’s match schedule and key fixtures in the tournament.
India Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Probable Squad
The Indian Women’s National Cricket Team is preparing strongly for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a balanced and experienced core.
Here are the expected squads with their roles:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur (C) | Batter |
| Smriti Mandhana (VC) | Batter |
| Shafali Verma | Batter |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Batter |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder |
| Richa Ghosh | Wicket-keeper Batter |
| Renuka Singh Thakur | Bowler |
| Shreyanka Patil | Bowler |
| Arundhati Reddy | Bowler |
| Kranti Gaud | Bowler |
| Sree Charani | Bowler |
| Kashvee Gautam | Bowler |
| Bharti Fulmali | Batter |
| Uma Chetry | Wicket-keeper Batter |
| Anushka Sharma | Batter |
Now let us have a look at some key details of each women cricketer:
1. Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
Harmanpreet Kaur is a right-handed middle-order batter known for her powerful stroke play and calm leadership in pressure situations. She anchors the innings and accelerates when needed.
She has scored 3822 T20I runs, making her one of India’s most dependable batters in the format. Her experience makes her a key pillar of the batting lineup.
She became the first Indian woman to score a T20I century and holds the record for most T20I appearances for India, leading the team into several major ICC knockout matches.
2. Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
Smriti Mandhana is a stylish left-handed opening batter known for her elegant stroke play and ability to give India strong starts in the powerplay overs.
She has scored 4231 T20I runs, making her one of India’s most successful batters in the shortest format. Her consistency at the top makes her vital to the team’s batting strength.
She is a two-time ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and the fastest Indian woman to reach 3,000 T20I runs. She also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women to their first WPL title in 2024.
3. Shafali Verma
Explosive starts at the top often come from Shafali Verma, a right-handed opener known for fearless stroke play and attacking intent from the very first over.
With 2519 T20I runs to her name, she has already built a strong record as one of India’s most dangerous batters in the powerplay phase.
Her rapid rise included becoming the youngest player to top ICC T20I rankings and leading India to victory in the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup.
4. Jemimah Rodrigues
Stability in the middle order is often provided by Jemimah Rodrigues, whose smart batting style focuses on timing, placement, and steady partnerships.
She has scored 2551 T20I runs, showing her ability to adapt to different match situations and keep the scoreboard moving regularly.
Her performances stood out during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, and she continues to gain experience through leagues like the Women’s Big Bash League.
5. Deepti Sharma
Few players bring balance to the side like Deepti Sharma, whose all-round skills make her valuable in both batting and bowling departments.
Across her T20I career, she has contributed 1108 runs and taken 153 wickets, proving her consistency as a dependable match contributor.
She created history by becoming the first Indian bowler to reach 100 T20I wickets, and she remains one of the most reliable all-rounders in world cricket.
6. Richa Ghosh
Finishing innings strongly is a responsibility often handled by Richa Ghosh, whose aggressive batting makes her a dangerous presence in the final overs.
She has scored 1150 T20I runs, many of them coming at a quick scoring rate when the team needs late momentum.
Her role as wicket-keeper adds further value, and she was also part of India’s title-winning squad in the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023.
7. Renuka Singh Thakur
Early breakthroughs with the new ball are frequently delivered by Renuka Singh Thakur, a swing bowler known for accuracy and control.
She has taken 66 T20I wickets, making her one of India’s leading pace bowlers in the shorter format.
Her impressive performances earned her the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2022, following strong outings at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
8. Shreyanka Patil
Young talent continues to strengthen India’s bowling unit, with players like Shreyanka Patil showing steady improvement in their off-spin bowling.
She has picked up 23 T20I wickets, showing her ability to contribute in pressure situations, especially during the middle overs.
Her breakthrough came after winning the Purple Cap in the Women’s Premier League 2024 season, marking her as a rising star.
9. Arundhati Reddy
After making a strong return to the national side, Arundhati Reddy has re-established herself as a dependable pace option with her disciplined right-arm bowling.
She has taken 45 T20I wickets, often contributing in middle and death overs where control and accuracy become crucial.
Her ability to deliver tight yorkers under pressure has made her a trusted bowler, especially in closely contested matches.
10. Kranti Gaud
Fresh energy in India’s fast-bowling unit comes from Kranti Gaud, a young pacer known for her natural pace and bounce.
She has claimed 3 T20I wickets so far, marking the beginning of what looks like a promising international journey.
Recognized for her raw speed, she is viewed as a long-term prospect who can add depth to India’s pace attack in major tournaments.
11. Sree Charani
Consistent performances in recent series helped Sree Charani earn recognition as a reliable right-arm medium pacer.
She has taken 20 T20I wickets, showing steady improvement through disciplined bowling spells across formats.
Her breakthrough came during the 2025–26 international cycle, where regular wicket-taking displays strengthened her chances of securing a place in major tournaments.
12. Kashvee Gautam
Attention quickly turned toward Kashvee Gautam after her strong performances in domestic and franchise competitions.
Although she is yet to debut in T20Is, she impressed in the Women’s Premier League with 8 wickets in 9 matches, highlighting her ability to handle high-pressure games.
She previously made headlines by taking all 10 wickets in a domestic Under-19 match, showcasing her rare bowling achievement.
13. Bharti Fulmali
Power hitting in the middle order is an area that Bharti Fulmali has strengthened, with a reputation as a strong striker of the ball.
She has scored 316 runs in her Women’s Premier League career, proving her ability to contribute quick runs when required.
Her consistent scoring in the 2026 season drew attention and moved her closer to national selection.
14. Uma Chetry
A proud milestone in Indian cricket history was achieved when Uma Chetry became the first female cricketer from Assam to represent the country.
She has scored 37 T20I runs, while also serving as a dependable backup wicket-keeper in the squad.
Known for her technically sound batting, she adds depth to the lineup and strengthens India’s options behind the stumps.
15. Anushka Sharma
Rising talent continues to emerge, with players like Anushka Sharma impressing in franchise cricket.
![Anushka Sharma [Cricketer]](https://sportsboardindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Screenshot2026-04-0909460.jpeg "Anushka Sharma [Cricketer]")
She scored 177 runs during the 2026 season for Gujarat Giants Women, showing promise as a reliable top-order batter.
Along with her batting ability, she is also recognized for excellent fielding skills, making her a valuable all-round contributor on the field.
Note:
Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, and Anushka Sharma have not yet played any Women’s T20 International (T20I) matches for the India women’s national cricket team, but they remain promising prospects based on their domestic and franchise performances.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 India Schedule
India Women will begin their campaign on June 14 against Pakistan Women in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Here is India’s complete schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
| Date | Teams | Group | Time (IST/GMT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | India Women vs Pakistan Women | Group A | 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT | Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham |
| June 17, 2026 | India Women vs Netherlands Women | Group A | 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT | Headingley Stadium, Leeds |
| June 21, 2026 | South Africa Women vs India Women | Group A | 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT | Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester |
| June 25, 2026 | India Women vs Bangladesh Women | Group A | 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT | Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester |
| June 28, 2026 | Australia Women vs India Women | Group A | 7:00 PM IST / 1:30 PM GMT | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
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Conclusion: India Women’s Squads Look Ready For A Strong Title Push!
India Women head into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a strong mix of experienced players and rising young talents. The squad looks balanced across batting, bowling, and all-round departments, giving the team good depth for challenging matches.
Senior players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana are expected to guide the side with their experience. Their leadership and consistency will be important during high-pressure matches against strong teams.
Overall, steady batting and disciplined bowling could help India push for a deep run. With the right momentum, the team has the potential to challenge for the title.
