India name 15-member Women's T20 World Cup squad Saturday at BCCI HQ
Synopsis
India's women's cricket team will learn their World Cup fate on Saturday evening when the BCCI names the 15-member squad in Mumbai. With a loss to South Africa still fresh and a maiden T20 title still elusive, Harmanpreet Kaur's side faces a tough Group 1 draw against six-time champion Australia and South Africa. The squad announcement also sets the tone for a gruelling pre-tournament schedule: three T20s against England, a Test at Lord's, and India A fixtures — all before the June 12 tournament start.
Key Takeaways
India will announce their 15-member Women's T20 World Cup squad on Saturday at 5 pm IST at BCCI headquarters, Mumbai .
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur , chief selector Amita Sharma , and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia will address the media.
The 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup runs from 12 June to 5 July in England with 12 teams and 33 matches .
India are in Group 1 with Australia , South Africa , Pakistan , Bangladesh , and the Netherlands .
India lost their warm-up five-match T20I series against South Africa 4-1 ; they remain without a Women's T20 World Cup title despite being runners-up in 2020.
The selection committee will also name squads for three T20Is vs England , a Test at Lord's , and India A fixtures .
India will announce their 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Saturday evening at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chief selector Amita Sharma, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressing the media at 5 pm IST. The tournament will be held in England from 12 June to 5 July 2026.
Selection committee's full mandate
Beyond the World Cup squad, the five-member selection committee will also finalise rosters for the three-match T20I series against England (28 May to 2 June), the one-off Test at Lord's (10-13 July), and India A squads for three ODIs and three T20 matches against England A. Dates and venues for India A fixtures remain unconfirmed.
India's group and recent form
India are placed in Group 1 alongside Australia (six-time champions), South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Their build-up has been mixed: they lost the recent five-match T20I series against South Africa 4-1, signalling areas the selection committee will likely address in squad construction.
Historical context and the title hunt
India were runners-up in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup in Australia and remain without a global title in the shortest format. However, they won the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup on home soil, providing momentum heading into the 2026 T20 edition. This tournament represents another opportunity for Harmanpreet and her team to claim a maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup trophy.
Tournament format and rival announcements
The tenth edition will feature 12 teams competing in 33 matches across seven venues — the first time the format has expanded to this scale. England, hosts and 2009 champions, announced their squad on 28 April, while defending champions New Zealand named their 15-member team on Wednesday. India's announcement completes the squad reveals from the major contenders.
Point of View
South Africa, and Pakistan in Group 1, India face a tougher path than the last edition. The 2020 runners-up status has not translated into a title; the 2025 ODI World Cup win suggests the team has the talent, but T20 cricket's volatility means execution matters more than pedigree. The pre-tournament schedule — three T20s, a Test, and India A matches — is punishing. Whether Harmanpreet's squad uses it as a sharpener or carries fatigue into the tournament will be a hidden variable.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will India announce their Women's T20 World Cup squad?
India will announce their 15-member squad on Saturday evening at 5 pm IST at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chief selector Amita Sharma, and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia will address the media.
Where and when will the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup be held?
The tournament will be held in England from 12 June to 5 July 2026. It will be the tenth edition and will feature 12 teams competing in 33 matches across seven venues.
Which teams are in India's group?
India are in Group 1 alongside six-time champions Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands — a challenging draw that includes two strong contenders in Australia and South Africa.
How did India perform in their recent warm-up series?
India lost their five-match T20I series against South Africa 4-1, indicating areas of concern heading into the World Cup squad announcement.
Has India won a Women's T20 World Cup title?
No. India were runners-up in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup in Australia and remain without a global title in the shortest format. However, they won the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup on home soil.
