The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 12 in England and Wales, featuring 12 teams battling across 33 matches for the title currently held by New Zealand. India’s squad, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, was announced by the BCCI on May 2, 2026, aiming for their first T20 World Cup triumph.
Tournament Overview
This expanded edition runs from June 12 to July 5, 2026, across seven iconic venues like Edgbaston, Lord’s, and Old Trafford. Twelve teams are divided into two groups: Group 1 (Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, two qualifiers) and Group 2 (England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, two qualifiers). The top two from each group advance to the semifinals on June 30 and July 2 at The Oval, with the final at Lord’s on July 5.
India Squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur captains India for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. The 15-member squad blends explosive batters, versatile all-rounders, and a strong bowling attack. Notable exclusions include Amanjot Kaur due to injury.
| Player | Role |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | All-rounder |
| Smriti Mandhana (vc) | Batter |
| Shafali Verma | Batter |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Batter |
| Deepti Sharma | All-rounder |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Yastika Bhatia (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Renuka Thakur | Bowler |
| Arundhati Reddy | Bowler |
| Radha Yadav | Bowler |
| Shreyanka Patil | All-rounder |
| Kranti Gaud | Bowler |
| Sree Charani | Bowler |
| Bharti Fulmali | All-rounder |
| Nandni Sharma | Bowler |
Match Schedule For ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
India is placed in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Here’s the full fixture list for Team India.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| June 14, 2026 | 🇮🇳 India vs Pakistan 🇵🇰 | Edgbaston, Birmingham | 14:00 |
| June 17, 2026 | 🇮🇳 India vs Netherlands 🇳🇱 | Headingley, Leeds | 14:00 |
| June 21, 2026 | 🇮🇳 India vs South Africa 🇿🇦 | Old Trafford, Manchester | 14:00 |
| June 25, 2026 | 🇮🇳 India vs Bangladesh 🇧🇩 | Old Trafford, Manchester | 14:00 |
| June 28, 2026 | 🇮🇳 India vs Australia 🇦🇺 | Lord’s, London | 14:00 |
Tournament Format and Venues
The 2026 edition follows a refined format similar to the 2024 tournament
- Group Stage: 10 teams split into two groups of five. Each team plays 4 matches.
- Super Six Stage: Top 2 teams from each group advance to a single round-robin Super Six.
- Knockouts: Top 2 from Super Six qualify for semi-finals; winners contest the Final at Lord’s on July 5
Record Prize Money Signals ICC’s Commitment
In a landmark move for women’s cricket, the International Cricket Council has announced a record prize pool of $8.76 million (approximately ₹82 crore) for the 2026 tournament, marking a 10% increase from the 2024 edition.
The champions will receive $2.34 million (around ₹19.5 crore), while the runners-up will take home $1.17 million (approximately ₹9.75 crore). Even teams exiting at the group stage will earn $112,500 (about ₹93 lakh), reflecting the governing body’s growing investment in and commitment to advancing women’s cricket globally.
Where to Watch and Ticketing
For viewers in India, the tournament is expected to be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, subject to final rights confirmation. International coverage is typically available via Sky Sports (UK), Willow TV (USA), and Fox Sports with Kayo Sports (Australia), while the International Cricket Council streams select matches on ICC.tv.
Tickets will be available via official ICC platforms and authorised partners, with sales expected in phases. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but will vary by match and venue, so fans should register early with the International Cricket Council for updates and priority access.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The tournament begins on June 12, 2026, with England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Harmanpreet Kaur leads the Indian team, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain.
The International Cricket Council has set the winner’s prize at $2.34 million (approximately ₹19.5 crore) for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
