India Women’s T20 World Cup squad announcement: Live updates — Fresh from winning the ODI World Cup last year, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team are now stepping into a different kind of challenge: proving that their dominance can be translated into the fast-paced T20 arena. With the squad for the upcoming global tournament due to be confirmed on Saturday, attention is quickly turning to how best to assemble a group that can deliver under pressure in the shortest format.
The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in England and Wales and will include 12 teams. The tournament is set to kick off on June 12, with 2024 champions New Zealand returning to defend the title they secured two years ago. The championship match is scheduled for July 5, bringing the curtain down on what is expected to be a fiercely contested event.
Harmanpreet Kaur is expected to reveal the squad at a press conference alongside the selectors. However, the final balance of the team is likely to spark plenty of discussion. Core players such as Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma are viewed as strong candidates to make the cut, though a few spots could still be up for grabs. The biggest talking point is expected to be India’s pace options, with conditions in England likely to weigh heavily on selection. Getting the seam-bowling mix right—especially for swinging conditions—could be a deciding factor in India’s ability to compete consistently throughout the tournament.
India Women’s most recent T20I assignment ended in disappointment, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s side suffering a 4-1 series defeat against South Africa. Laura Wolvaardt led the Proteas, and the results highlighted shortcomings in multiple areas. That setback leaves India with clear priorities to address before the World Cup begins, as they look to tighten both execution and strategy.
India’s 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign starts with a major contest against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. They then face the Netherlands on June 17 at Headingley in Leeds. After that, India take on South Africa on June 21 and Bangladesh on June 25, with both matches at Old Trafford in Manchester. The league stage concludes against Australia on June 28 at Lord’s in London. Each game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, giving India a steady run of evening fixtures across different venues.
Before the World Cup, India Women are set to gain valuable experience in English conditions through a three-match T20I series against England. The tour gets underway on May 28, followed by the second match on May 30, with the final game on June 2. The series is viewed as an important stepping stone—offering India a chance to fine-tune combinations, judge conditions closely, and get accustomed to the pace and movement that come with conditions in England. With the World Cup approaching quickly, these matches are expected to play a significant role in shaping India’s preparation and momentum.
