India Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Announced: Harmanpreet Kaur to Lead, Smriti Mandhana Named Vice-Captain
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s 15-member squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in England and Wales from June 14. As expected, Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana appointed as vice-captain.
The squad reflects a strong blend of experience and form, featuring key names such as Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. However, the selection also saw some notable omissions, with all-rounder Amanjot Kaur ruled out due to injury.
India Women’s Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.
There are no standby players in the squad.
Key Selection Updates and Injury Concerns
Speaking after the announcement, Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that Bharti Fulmali has been included as a direct replacement for the injured Amanjot Kaur. Fulmali earned her spot following an impressive season in the Women’s Premier League 2026, where her aggressive batting stood out.
Other omissions include Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, and spinner Sneh Rana, all of whom missed out despite being in contention. Their exclusions underline the intensity of competition for places in the final squad.
Bowling Balance and Spin Strategy
The spin department will be led by Shree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav, forming a key tactical core for India in English conditions. The trio edged out several contenders, with Radha also being valued for her batting contributions in the WPL 2026.
In the pace attack, Renuka Singh Thakur brings experience, supported by Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Nandani Sharma — the latter having been a standout performer in the WPL, finishing as joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets.
Wicketkeeping Options
India will rely on Richa Ghosh as the primary wicketkeeper, while Yastika Bhatia has been named as the backup option.
With a balanced squad and several in-form players, India head into the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with strong expectations, aiming to build on recent performances and push for global glory.
