Nandni Sharma has received her first call-up to India’s national side after being named in the 15-player squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, scheduled from June 12 to July 5. The 24-year-old fast bowler from Chandigarh earned the spot following a standout Women’s Premier League season, where she finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026.
Key takeaways
- Nandni Sharma has been selected for India’s 15-member squad for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
- She arrives on the back of 17 wickets for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026, her first WPL season.
- Yastika Bhatia and Radha Yadav are back in the squad, while Anushka Sharma, Uma Chetry and Kashvee Gautam miss out.
- India’s camp and preparation includes a lead-in schedule featuring a three-match T20I series and a one-off Test before the World Cup.
- Harmanpreet Kaur has been named captain, set to lead India for a fifth time at the global event.
Squad changes ahead of the World Cup
The selection also brings Yastika Bhatia back into the group as the wicketkeeper-batter, alongside all-rounder Radha Yadav, adding depth to India’s balance for conditions in England. Kashvee Gautam has not made the cut because she was unavailable due to a right knee injury.
India’s squad will be captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, with the team set to be led by her for the fifth time in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet has been part of India’s setup since the inaugural edition of the tournament and recently topped India’s scoring in the concluded series in South Africa.
Spin-led balance and full World Cup squad
India’s bowling plans have been strengthened through the inclusion of Radha Yadav, with the team also carrying a four-spin approach. Alongside Radha, the spin group features Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil—each of whom was among the more effective wicket-takers during the South Africa series.
India Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Bharti Fulmali, Yastika Bhatia, Nandni Sharma, Radha Yadav.
Recent form, tournament route and preparation schedule
Despite being the reigning champions of the 50-over World Cup, India have not had the smoothest run in T20Is in recent months. Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, they have won 13 of their 21 matches, including series victories in England and Australia. However, in the current year, their record in T20Is has been more mixed, with only three wins from eight matches, and four of those losses coming during the recently concluded five-match series against South Africa.
India’s World Cup campaign begins on June 14 against Pakistan at Birmingham. Placed in Group A, the team will also meet Netherlands, South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia during the group stage. The top two sides from each of the two groups will advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled to be played at The Oval.
The squad is set to gather for a training camp before travelling to England for a three-match T20I series and a one-off Test match. The announcement of the squad was made in Mumbai on Saturday (May 2).
