NEW DELHI: India have kept the core of their Women’s T20 World Cup group steady while still making a few calculated adjustments as they unveiled a 15-woman squad for the 2026 edition in England, with Yastika Bhatia’s return and Pratika Rawal’s exclusion grabbing the headlines after Saturday’s selection meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
Key takeaways
- Harmanpreet Kaur has been named captain for India’s 15-member Women’s T20 World Cup squad.
- Smriti Mandhana is set to serve as vice-captain, with several regulars retained in the final group.
- Yastika Bhatia returns to the squad after recovering from ACL surgery sustained during the ODI World Cup preparatory camp.
- Pratika Rawal has been left out of the T20 World Cup squad but selected for the one-off Test at Lord’s.
- Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur missed selection due to injuries, influencing India’s pace-bowling options.
- Separate squads have been announced for the England T20I series and the Lord’s Test, with the tour expected to be pivotal for World Cup preparation.
World Cup squad set for England starting June 14
India, who will be chasing their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title, are scheduled to begin their campaign on June 14. The final squad is structured around a blend of experienced campaigners and younger contributors, reflecting the selection panel’s aim to balance familiarity with fresh impetus for English conditions.
Smriti Mandhana has been handed the vice-captain role, while key names such as Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh have all been retained in the team.
Inclusions that shape India’s balance
Among the most notable inclusions are Bharti Fulmali and Nandini Sharma, both of whom earned their spots after making an impact during recent opportunities. The selectors have also picked left-arm spinner Shree Charani, a move that highlights India’s intention to strengthen their spin resources for conditions expected to offer value to the slower bowlers.
Radha Yadav, whose selection was seen by many as potentially uncertain before the announcement, has ultimately made the cut. The selectors pointed to her strong domestic form and her prior success in England as factors behind her retention.
The big talking point: Pratika Rawal’s switch to Tests
The most prominent surprise in the squad was the omission of Pratika Rawal from the Women’s T20 World Cup group, despite her name being among those widely expected to travel to England. Instead, she has been selected for India’s one-off Test against England at Lord’s.
Harleen Deol has also been included only in the Test group, suggesting the selectors currently view both players as longer-format options rather than immediate T20 World Cup picks.
Yastika Bhatia returns after ACL recovery
Yastika Bhatia’s re-entry is another major development. The wicketkeeper-batter had recovered from ACL surgery that she suffered during last year’s ODI World Cup preparatory camp. Her selection indicates that the team management is confident in her fitness heading into the global tournament.
Injuries and squad planning for England
Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur were not available for selection because of injuries, a factor that affected India’s depth in pace bowling. In addition, the selectors have named separate groups for the England T20I series and for the one-off Test at Lord’s, with the England tour expected to play a significant role in India’s preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
India Women’s squad for 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup and T20I series vs England
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandini Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.
India Women’s squad for one-off Test against England at Lord’s
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandini Sharma, Harleen Deol, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana.
