New Delhi: After scripting history with their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, the Indian women’s team is now eyeing another milestone — a first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title. With the global event scheduled in England & Wales in 2026, former India cricketers and JioStar experts Irfan Pathan and Varun Aaron believe India are well placed to build on their recent success, largely due to the growing depth provided by the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Speaking on JioStar’s show ‘Follow The Blues’, Varun Aaron reflected on how India’s ODI World Cup breakthrough has reshaped the team’s mindset and belief.
“Australia used to be India’s bogey team, but once the women went past them in that second final and then went on to win the title, it felt like a barrier had truly been broken,” Aaron said. “Now, with that hurdle crossed, this group will feel they can achieve anything. The momentum around the Indian women’s team, the support from fans, and the backing from the BCCI all give them a great chance to finally win a T20 World Cup, though Australia will definitely be hungry for revenge.”
Irfan Pathan, meanwhile, highlighted the critical role the WPL is playing in strengthening India’s World Cup prospects, especially in the shortest format.
“Girls now play a lot more cricket, and that depth gives the team plenty of options, especially if injuries crop up, because you have ready-made backups,” Pathan explained. “This current pool of players is something you simply didn’t see ten years ago.”
Emphasising the tournament’s timing, Pathan added that the WPL offers a major competitive edge ahead of the global showpiece.
“The biggest advantage is that WPL comes right before the World Cup, so they go in with both game time and confidence,” he said. “Winning a World Cup in one format and then shifting to another is not a big hurdle anymore, particularly with how much their power game has improved. If they adapt quickly to conditions in England, it really should not be very difficult for them.”
With increased match exposure, a stronger talent pipeline and renewed belief after their ODI success, India’s women appear poised to mount a serious challenge for T20 World Cup glory in 2026.
