Harmanpreet to captain India in Women’s T20 WC
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- May 02, 2026
- 57
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the Indian women’s squad for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Harmanpreet Kaur retaining the captaincy and Smriti Mandhana being named vice-captain.
The squad, announced on Saturday, features 11 players from the Indian team that won the ODI World Cup last year. Punjab cricketer Nandini Sharma has earned her maiden selection for a World Cup tournament.
The Women’s T20 World Cup will begin in England on June 12, with India set to start their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham.
India squad for Women’s T20 World Cup
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Bharti Fulmali, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaur, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav.
Mandhana and Shafali Verma are expected to open the innings, while Jemimah Rodrigues is likely to bat at number three. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will play a key role in the middle order. Aggressive batter Richa Ghosh has been picked as the primary wicketkeeper, with Yastika Bhatia serving as backup wicketkeeper and opener.
The pace attack will be led by experienced seamer Renuka Singh Thakur, supported by Kranti Gaur and Arundhati Reddy. The spin department will be spearheaded by all-rounder Deepti Sharma alongside Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani.
A total of 12 teams will participate in the tournament, divided into two groups of six. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and Netherlands.
Australia remain the most successful team in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup, having won the title a record six times. England won the inaugural edition in 2009, while the West Indies lifted the trophy in 2016.