India U-19 Women's tri-series vs Nepal at BCCI CoE Bengaluru, November 10-22
Synopsis
India are sending both a 'A' and a 'B' squad to face Nepal in a Bengaluru tri-series this November — the clearest signal yet that selectors are stress-testing a wider pool before naming a 15-member squad for the 2027 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. For the two-time defending champions, every match between now and January is a squad-selection trial in disguise.
Key Takeaways
India U-19 Women's A and B teams will face Nepal in a tri-series at the BCCI CoE, Bengaluru from 10 to 22 November 2026 .
The series runs across five matches plus a final, with all games starting at 1 pm IST .
India have been drawn with Nepal, West Indies and Ireland in Group A of the 2027 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup (Bangladesh and Nepal, 21 Jan – 6 Feb 2027).
India are two-time defending champions, having won in South Africa (2023) under Shafali Verma and in Malaysia (2025) under Niki Prasad .
Following the tri-series, India U-19 women host England U-19 in a five-match T20I series from 26 November to 6 December across Vadodara and Surat .
Nepal arrive with fresh match practice from the Belt and Road U19 Girls T20I in China (3–8 November) .
India U-19 Women's teams — fielding both an 'A' and a 'B' side — will face Nepal in a tri-series at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru from 10 to 22 November 2026, as the two-time defending champions ramp up preparations for the 2027 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. The series schedule was confirmed by Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) secretary Paras Khadka.
Full Schedule and Match Fixtures
The tri-series opens on 12 November with India U-19 'B' taking on Nepal, followed by Nepal versus India U-19 'A' on 14 November. The reverse fixtures follow — India 'B' meets Nepal again on 18 November, and India 'A' faces Nepal on 20 November. The series concludes with the final on 22 November. All matches carry a 1 pm IST start time.
Why Two Indian Squads
Fielding both an 'A' and a 'B' side in the same competition gives national selectors the opportunity to assess a broader pool of players ahead of finalising a 15-member World Cup squad. India have been drawn in Group A of the 2027 tournament alongside co-hosts Nepal, the West Indies and Ireland. They open their title defence against the West Indies in Kathmandu on 22 January 2027. The World Cup, co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal, runs from 21 January to 6 February 2027.
India's Defending Champion Credentials
Shafali Verma led India to the inaugural title in South Africa in 2023, while Niki Prasad's side retained the crown in Malaysia in 2025. The current squad, captained by wicketkeeper-batter Bhavika Ahire — a member of the 2025 title-winning team — earlier defeated Sri Lanka U-19 women in a six-match white-ball home series in Chennai and Puducherry in June and July.
Nepal's Preparation and India's Upcoming Fixtures
Nepal will arrive in Bengaluru with recent competitive experience, having participated in the 'Belt and Road U19 Girls T20I' tournament in China from 3 to 8 November, alongside hosts China, Hong Kong and Thailand. Following the tri-series, India U-19 women will host England U-19 women in a five-match T20I series from 26 November to 6 December. The first two games will be held at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, before the final three matches move to Surat's CB Patel International Cricket Stadium.
World Cup Format
The third edition of the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup will feature four groups of four teams, with matches spread across Chattogram, Sylhet and Kathmandu. The group stage concludes on 26 January, after which teams split into two Super Six groups. The top two from each Super Six advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for 4 February in Chattogram. The final takes place on 6 February, with 5 and 7 February as reserve days.
Point of View
But the 'B' squad outing will likely determine whether any new names can force their way into a 15-member World Cup squad. The real intrigue is in the overlap: players who feature across both squads — or who top-perform for the 'B' side — will be on the selectors' radar. India's opening World Cup fixture against the West Indies in Kathmandu on 22 January gives the management very little margin for mid-tournament recalibration.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the India U-19 Women's tri-series against Nepal?
The tri-series takes place from 10 to 22 November 2026 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. It features India U-19 Women's A, India U-19 Women's B, and Nepal's U-19 women's team.
Why is India fielding two separate squads in the tri-series?
Fielding both an 'A' and a 'B' squad allows selectors to evaluate a larger pool of players before finalising a 15-member squad for the 2027 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. It is a structured squad trial ahead of the tournament beginning in January 2027.
When is the 2027 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup and which group is India in?
The 2027 ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled from 21 January to 6 February 2027, co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal. India are in Group A alongside Nepal, the West Indies, and Ireland, and open their campaign against the West Indies in Kathmandu on 22 January.
How many times has India won the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup?
India are two-time defending champions, having won the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2023 under Shafali Verma and retained the title in Malaysia in 2025 under Niki Prasad.
What other series does India U-19 women play after the Nepal tri-series?
India U-19 women host England U-19 women in a five-match T20I series from 26 November to 6 December. The first two games are at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, and the last three at Surat's CB Patel International Cricket Stadium.
