New Delhi: Fresh from leading India to its maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title on home soil in 2025, captain Harmanpreet Kaur has set her sights on an even bigger milestone — guiding India to its first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup triumph.
The 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in England on June 12, with India opening its campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14. The tournament runs until July 5 and features 12 teams competing for the coveted title.
For Harmanpreet, the tournament carries added significance. The veteran batter is set to become the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to feature in ten consecutive Women’s T20 World Cups. Having already delivered India its first ODI World Cup crown, she now hopes to emulate the achievement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who captained India to both the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2011.
India came closest to T20 World Cup glory in 2020, when Harmanpreet’s side reached the final before losing to Australia. Six years later, the team believes it has the experience and depth needed to go one step further.
Tough Road Ahead
India has been placed in Group 1 alongside six-time champions Australia, former runners-up South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
Australia, now led by Sophie Molineux, remains the team to beat, while South Africa has strengthened its squad with the return of veteran fast bowler Shabnim Ismail. To secure a semifinal berth, India will likely need to defeat either Australia or South Africa.
Group 2 features defending champions New Zealand, hosts England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Scotland.
Form and Concerns
India enters the tournament with confidence after notable T20 series victories over Sri Lanka and Australia in recent months. However, defeats against South Africa and England in the lead-up to the World Cup have exposed some concerns.
The biggest challenge remains the form of the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, both of whom have struggled for consistency. On a positive note, middle-order batters Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet have shown encouraging form, while wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia impressed during the England series.
England’s swinging conditions are expected to test India’s batting line-up, making strong starts from Mandhana and Shafali crucial.
Balanced Squad
India’s batting will rely heavily on Harmanpreet, Mandhana, Shafali, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and wicketkeepers Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia.
The bowling attack appears well-balanced with spinners Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and Shree Charani, while pacers Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud, and newcomer Nandini Sharma provide depth.
Nandini, one of the tournament’s emerging talents, earned her maiden World Cup call-up after finishing among the leading wicket-takers in the 2026 Women’s Premier League.
Quest for a First T20 Crown
Despite being one of the most competitive sides in women’s cricket, India has never won the Women’s T20 World Cup. The team reached the final in 2020 and the semifinals on four occasions but has often fallen short at crucial moments.
With the confidence gained from last year’s ODI World Cup success and a squad blending experienced stars with exciting young talent, India heads to England believing that the long wait for a Women’s T20 World Cup title could finally come to an end.
India’s key group-stage fixtures include matches against Pakistan (June 14), Netherlands (June 17), South Africa (June 21), Bangladesh (June 25), and Australia (June 28). For Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, the mission is clear: transform promise into history and bring home India’s first Women’s T20 World Cup trophy.
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