India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. Furthermore, the side features four uncapped names making their tournament debut.
Specifically, Bharti Fulmali, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, and Kranti Gaud earn their maiden World Cup call-ups. Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh spearhead the bowling.
The tournament starts on 12 June 2026 in England and Wales. Notably, India open their Group A campaign against Pakistan on 14 June at Edgbaston.
India Women’s Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Full List
Here is the complete India women’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, announced by the BCCI on 2 May 2026. Notably, the same group also features in the T20I series against England that precedes the tournament.
| # | Player | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style |
| 1 | Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | Top/Middle-order Batter | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 2 | Smriti Mandhana (vc) | Opening Batter | Left-hand | — |
| 3 | Shafali Verma | Opening Batter | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 4 | Jemimah Rodrigues | Middle-order Batter | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 5 | Bharti Fulmali | Middle-order Batter | Right-hand | — |
| 6 | Yastika Bhatia (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter | Left-hand | — |
| 7 | Richa Ghosh (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter | Right-hand | — |
| 8 | Deepti Sharma | Spin All-rounder | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 9 | Shreyanka Patil | Spin All-rounder | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 10 | Radha Yadav | Spinner | Left-hand | Slow left-arm orthodox |
| 11 | Shree Charani | Spinner | Left-hand | Slow left-arm orthodox |
| 12 | Renuka Singh Thakur | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium |
| 13 | Arundhati Reddy | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium |
| 14 | Kranti Gaud | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium-fast |
| 15 | Nandani Sharma | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium-fast |
Squad Breakdown by Role: Batters, All-Rounders, Spinners & Pacers
The Indian squad balances six top-order batters, two wicketkeepers, two all-rounders, two specialist spinners, and four pacers. Specifically, the bowling unit leans on spin firepower, while four pacers cover swing conditions in England.
Top-Order and Middle-Order Batters
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma open the innings, while Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Bharti Fulmali anchor the middle order.
Wicketkeeper-Batters
Richa Ghosh keeps her place as the first-choice wicketkeeper. Meanwhile, Yastika Bhatia returns from an ACL surgery she underwent in October 2025.
Spin All-Rounders and Specialist Spinners
Deepti Sharma leads the spin attack alongside Shreyanka Patil (off-spin all-rounders). In addition, left-arm spinners Radha Yadav and Shree Charani offer variety against right-hand-dominant line-ups.
Pace Bowling Department
Renuka Singh Thakur spearheads the seam attack. Furthermore, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Nandani Sharma round out the four-pacer rotation. Notably, English seaming conditions could swing matches their way.
Key Players to Watch in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
Six names carry the bulk of expectations for India. Specifically, the spine of the side combines proven match-winners with form players coming off the 50-over title triumph.
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
Harmanpreet leads India for the fifth time at a T20 World Cup, an Indian record. Furthermore, she captains a side fresh off the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup title, sealed against South Africa.
Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain, Opening Batter)
Mandhana brings classical left-handed power at the top. Additionally, she serves as deputy to Harmanpreet and even captained the side in the first T20I against England when the skipper was rested.
Shafali Verma (Opening Batter)
Shafali’s aggressive intent inside the powerplay is India’s biggest match-shifting weapon. Notably, she has been a fixture since the 2020 final, where India finished runners-up to Australia.
Jemimah Rodrigues (Middle-Order Batter)
Jemimah’s situational hitting and running between wickets stabilise the middle overs. Moreover, her recent ODI World Cup semi-final knock against Australia underlined her big-stage temperament.
Deepti Sharma (Spin All-Rounder)
Deepti was Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Consequently, she heads into England as India’s most consistent all-format performer.
Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Richa’s six-hitting at the death and quick gloves behind the stumps make her India’s lower-middle-order finisher. In addition, her clean range-hitting raises India’s ceiling on flat tracks.
Renuka Singh Thakur (Pacer)
Renuka’s swing with the new ball gives India new-ball control. Specifically, English pitches in June typically reward her line-and-length seam approach.
T20 World Cup Debutants in India’s Squad
Four players make their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup debut in 2026. Specifically, the foursome of Bharti Fulmali, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, and Kranti Gaud bring a fresh edge to the squad.
Bharti Fulmali
Bharti, a right-hand middle-order batter, replaces the injured all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. Furthermore, she retained her place after scores of 40 and 2 at No. 5 during India’s South Africa T20I tour.
Nandani Sharma
An uncapped right-arm pacer, Nandani was the joint-top wicket-taker of WPL 2026 with 17 scalps in 10 games for Delhi Capitals, level with Sophie Devine. Consequently, her accuracy and variations earned a maiden India call-up.
Shree Charani
Shree, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, broke into the side in 2025. Additionally, she provides a left-arm spin option that complements Radha Yadav’s variations in the middle overs.
Kranti Gaud
Kranti, a right-arm medium-fast bowler, earned her place after impressive domestic form. Moreover, her ability to bowl in the powerplay and the death adds flexibility for Harmanpreet.
Harmanpreet Kaur to Captain India for Fifth T20 World Cup
Harmanpreet Kaur captains India at her fifth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Specifically, she leads a side that exited at the group stage of the 2024 edition and now seeks redemption.
Smriti Mandhana serves as vice-captain. Furthermore, she already led the side in the first T20I at Chelmsford on 28 May 2026, after Harmanpreet was rested ahead of the World Cup.
Notably, India have never won the Women’s T20 World Cup. They came closest in 2020, finishing runners-up to Australia at the MCG. Therefore, the 2026 edition represents another shot at a maiden title.
India’s Group A Opponents at Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
India sit in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Netherlands. Consequently, India play five group games before the knockouts.
| Team | Captain | Recent Form / Note |
| India | Harmanpreet Kaur | Reigning 50-over World Champions |
| Australia | Sophie Molineux | Seven-time T20 WC winners |
| South Africa | Laura Wolvaardt | Runners-up at 2024 T20 WC |
| Pakistan | Fatima Sana | Won 2026 Qualifier path |
| Bangladesh | Nigar Sultana Joty | Returning regulars |
| Netherlands | Babette de Leede | Debutants at Women’s T20 WC |
India’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
India play five group-stage matches across four English venues. Specifically, the campaign starts on 14 June at Edgbaston and closes at Lord’s on 28 June against Australia.
| Date | Match | Opponent | Venue |
| 14 June | 1 | Pakistan | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 17 June | 2 | Netherlands | Headingley, Leeds |
| 21 June | 3 | South Africa | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 25 June | 4 | Bangladesh | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 28 June | 5 | Australia | Lord’s, London |
Pre-Tournament Build-Up: India’s T20I Series in England
The same 15-player squad played a three-match T20I series against England from 28 May to 2 June 2026. Specifically, the series acted as final preparation for the World Cup.
- First T20I: 28 May 2026, Chelmsford
- Second T20I: 30 May 2026, Bristol
- Third T20I: 2 June 2026, Taunton
Smriti Mandhana captained India in the opener at Chelmsford as Harmanpreet was rested, per a BCCI announcement on 28 May.
India’s Women’s T20 World Cup Record So Far
India have featured in every Women’s T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2009. However, the trophy still eludes them.
- Best finish: Runners-up in 2020 (lost to Australia at the MCG).
- Semi-finals: 2009, 2010, 2018, 2020, 2023 editions.
- Most recent edition: 2024 in the UAE, where India were knocked out at the group stage.
Therefore, the 2026 campaign carries extra weight. Specifically, India arrive as reigning 50-over world champions and want to convert that momentum into a maiden T20 crown.
Conclusion: India Have Balanced Squad With a Maiden Title in Sight
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad mixes proven match-winners like Harmanpreet, Mandhana, Deepti, and Renuka with four exciting debutants. Furthermore, the spin-heavy attack is well suited to English summer conditions.
Consequently, fans have real reasons for optimism. India open against Pakistan on 14 June at Edgbaston, and a deep run could deliver the country’s first ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title.
