India names Women's T20 WC squad Saturday; selection dilemmas persist
Synopsis
India's selection committee faces tough calls on Saturday as it finalises the 15-member Women's T20 World Cup squad. With debutants Anushka and Vaishnavi Sharma, recall candidate Bharti Fulmali, and returning wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia all in contention, the choices made in Mumbai will shape India's bid for a first-ever title in the shortest format in England.
Key Takeaways
India's 15-member Women's T20 World Cup squad will be announced on Saturday evening at the BCCI HQ in Mumbai .
The tournament will be held in England from June 12 to July 5, 2026 , with Harmanpreet Kaur captaining the side.
Debutants Anushka Sharma and Vaishnavi Sharma , plus recall candidate Bharti Fulmali , are competing for limited spots.
Pace bowler Nandni Sharma could be drafted in; spinners Radha Yadav , Sneh Rana , and G Kamalini risk missing out.
Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia has resumed training after ACL surgery and will compete with Uma Chetry for the second keeper slot.
The selection committee will also name squads for the T20I series against England ( May 8–June 2 ) and the one-off Test at Lord's ( July 10–13 ).
India's selection committee will convene at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday evening to announce the 15-member squad for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading a side seeking to capture its first title in the shortest format. The tournament will be held in England from June 12 to July 5, and the announcement will follow a closed-door selection meeting where the Amita Sharma-led panel must finalise a handful of contested spots.
The mixed T20I record heading into the World Cup
India's recent T20I form has been inconsistent despite the euphoria of winning the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup on home soil. The team swept Sri Lanka 5-0 in December, defeated England away, and edged Australia 2-1 in an away series. However, a 4-1 defeat in South Africa last month exposed bowling vulnerabilities and prompted heavy player rotation by the team management, which rested vice-captain Smriti Mandhana during that tour.
The debutants and recall candidates
Three players have emerged as selection wildcards. Batting all-rounder Anushka Sharma and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma were handed debut caps and performed decently, while finisher Bharti Fulmali earned a recall after an extended absence. Whether these experiments translate into World Cup spots remains uncertain, particularly as host nation England has already selected three left-arm spinners for the 12-team competition, signalling a strategic preference for that skill set.
The pace bowling question and other selection puzzles
Pace bowler Nandni Sharma, who impressed for Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026, could be drafted in if selectors opt for an out-and-out pace option. Similarly, Kashvee Gautam, who debuted in T20Is during the South Africa tour, remains in contention. The absence of Amanjot Kaur due to a back injury opens a slot, though spinners Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and G Kamalini risk missing out entirely.
Radha Yadav's case is particularly intriguing — she took six wickets in a T20I series win in England last year but has not played in the format since. She performed strongly in WPL 2026 for RCB, scoring 114 runs in 9 matches including a 66, and captained India A to the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars title in Bangkok, accumulating 10 wickets at five runs per over. In the Senior Women's Inter Zonal Multi Day Trophy, she scored 224 runs in four innings with a highest score of 108 and took 12 wickets.
The wicketkeeper slot and Yastika Bhatia's comeback
Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, a left-hander, has resumed training after undergoing ACL surgery for a knee injury sustained during ODI World Cup preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam last year. Whether she reclaims the second keeper slot from Uma Chetry or eases back through India A duty will be closely watched. Selectors may expand the squad to 17 or 18 for the three-match T20I series against England, scheduled from May 8 to June 2, potentially opening the door for Vaishnavi to be included.
The broader announcement and India A squads
Saturday's selection meeting will extend beyond the World Cup squad. Teams for the three-game T20I series against England, to be held before the World Cup, and the one-off Test at Lord's from July 10–13, will also be named. Additionally, India A squads for three 50-over games and as many T20 matches against England A will be picked. Players such as Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal are tipped to travel with India A to adapt to English conditions ahead of the Test, with standby players for the World Cup potentially doubling up in the India A squad touring England at the same time.
Point of View
But they also reflect India's depth — a luxury the team did not have five years ago. Radha Yadav's case is emblematic: she won a series in England but has not played T20Is since, yet her domestic form argues for inclusion. The selectors must decide whether the World Cup is a meritocracy or a reward for recent form. Yastika Bhatia's return from ACL surgery adds another layer of uncertainty. If India is to win its first T20 title, the squad announcement on Saturday must balance continuity with the hunger of newcomers.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will India announce its Women's T20 World Cup squad?
India will announce its 15-member Women's T20 World Cup squad on Saturday evening at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, following a selection committee meeting.
Which tournament will the squad compete in?
The squad will compete in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, held in England from June 12 to July 5. India will aim to win its first title in the shortest format.
Who are the main selection dilemmas?
Key contenders include debutants Anushka Sharma and Vaishnavi Sharma, recall candidate Bharti Fulmali, pace bowler Nandni Sharma, and wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia, who is returning from ACL surgery. Spinners Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, and G Kamalini also face uncertain prospects.
What else will be announced on Saturday?
Beyond the World Cup squad, the selection committee will name squads for the three-match T20I series against England (May 8–June 2), the one-off Test at Lord's (July 10–13), and India A squads for matches against England A.
Why is Radha Yadav's selection uncertain?
Radha Yadav took six wickets in a T20I series win in England last year but has not played in the format since. Though she performed well in WPL 2026 and domestic cricket, her absence from recent T20I action makes her selection ambiguous.
