Fresh from a landmark ODI World Cup victory on home soil, the Women in Blue are determined not to be satisfied with a single title. On Saturday, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and chief selector Amita Sharma announced the 15-player squad charged with taking on England and Wales this June.
Despite the scars of a disappointing 2024 campaign in which they missed out on the knockout stage, Harmanpreet maintains that this squad has the quality to become champions. Blending experienced stalwarts with the dazzling emergence of WPL standouts, India stands among the leading contenders for the title.
The standout inclusion is uncapped seamer Nandani Sharma, the 2026 Women’s Premier League Emerging Player of the Season, who earned her place in the squad following a remarkable campaign with the Delhi Capitals.
WPL dominance: Nandani was the joint-top wicket-taker in WPL 2026 with 17 scalps, matching Sophie Devine.
Hat-trick: She became the first Indian uncapped player to take a WPL hat-trick, finishing with a five-wicket haul against Gujarat Giants.
X-factor: With India’s pace reserves hit by injuries, Nandani’s accuracy and variations are expected to be on English tracks.
India’s buildup has been far from smooth. Crucial all-rounder Amanjot Kaur will be sidelined for the next four to five months due to a back injury, and pace prodigy Kashvee Gautam is set to undergo knee surgery.
Whatever has happened is history. Now we just have to do the right things and keep doing it again and again. The team we have finalised today has the calibre to again become champions.
Harmanpreet Kaur
To address the gap, the selectors brought back Radha Yadav for her fifth T20 World Cup campaign and reinstated Yastika Bhatia, who is making her return after a prolonged ACL injury layoff.
Format: An expanded 12-team tournament featuring 33 matches across 24 days, the largest in the competition's history.
Group of death: India is placed in Group A alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
Opener: India kicks off against rivals Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham.
Historical context: India has never won the T20 World Cup, with their best finish being runners-up in 2020.
Double quest: After winning the ODI World Cup earlier this year, India looks to oin the elite ranks of teams holding both white-ball trophies simultaneously.
Harmanpreet Kaur recognises that T20 matches are decided on the day. By reinforcing a bowling attack that faltered in their recent 4-1 series defeat to South Africa, the selectors have equipped the captain with the resources she requires. With Nandani Sharma injecting new energy and the experienced core eager to make amends, India’s push toward the Lord’s final on July 5 starts now.
