The India Women’s cricket team head into the ICC Women's T20 World Cup with hopes of grasping their first T20 World Cup title.
The eight-time appearance makers qualified via the 2024 World Cup, one of four others to do so, and come into the tournament as, undoubtedly, one of the favourites. After their historic first World Cup win in 2025, can they translate that success into the quicker paced T20 format?
Following their tour of Australia in February and March this year, India close out their pre-tournament fixtures with a tour of South Africa, playing in Durban, Johannesburg and Benoni. In their three T20 matches against Australia, India ran out 2-1 winners, showcasing their skill against arguably the world’s best team in this format.
Among those to watch for India is captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Having recently become the most capped women’s player in history (356 caps), Kaur’s experience and wisdom in tournaments will surely be crucial if India want to improve on their last T20 World Cup, having fallen at the group stage. Kaur’s recent form is nothing to be doubted either, as the 36-year-old hit 36 (30) in India’s second T20 fixture against Australia.
A wildcard choice for India is young batter Anushka Sharma. Currently uncapped, Sharma will make her national debut in the upcoming series against South Africa. The call up is a well-deserved response to Sharma’s excellent club form in the WPL.
India will look ahead to their opening fixture against Pakistan at Edgbaston on 14 June with one goal in mind; to prove themselves in T20 cricket.
They are a team who have earned their reputation as one of the best and this could be the year that they truly announce themselves as the world’s best.
Get ready to catch the spirit this summer. Secure your tickets for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup here: tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com