BCCI Reveals India Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan Clash First

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian women’s squad for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, set to begin on June 12, 2026, in England and Wales. The announcement came after a key selection meeting at the board’s headquarters, confirming a strong and balanced 15-member lineup for the global tournament. Experienced all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side as captain, while star opener Smriti Mandhana has been appointed vice-captain. India will kick off its campaign with a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham, a match that is already generating significant excitement among fans. The 2026 edition marks the 10th Women’s T20 World Cup and will feature 12 teams divided into two groups. India has been placed in Group A alongside strong opponents such as Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. The tournament will include 33 matches in total, culminating in the final on July 5. India’s schedule in the group stage is packed with challenging fixtures. After facing Pakistan, the team will take on the Netherlands on June 17, followed by South Africa on June 21. Matches against Bangladesh on June 25 and Australia on June 28 will complete their group-stage journey. The squad features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, including names like Shefali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma. Wicketkeeping duties will be handled by Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia, adding depth to the lineup. After clinching the ODI World Cup title in 2025, India will now aim to secure their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup trophy. Historically, Australia has dominated the format with six titles, while England, West Indies, and New Zealand have each won once. With momentum on their side, the Indian team will be eager to make history in 2026.