Women's T20 World Cup 2025: India squad departs Mumbai for England tour
Synopsis
India's women's team has left for England with a daunting Group B draw — Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands — and a Lord's finale on 28 June as the ultimate prize. The reigning ODI champions begin their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on 14 June, making the group stage a near-knockout gauntlet from the first ball.
Key Takeaways
India's women's team departed Mumbai on 23 May for the UK , ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025 .
A preparatory 3-match T20I series against England runs from 28 May to 2 June .
India are placed in Group B with Australia , Pakistan , South Africa , Bangladesh , and the Netherlands .
India open their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on 14 June ; their final group game is against Australia at Lord's on 28 June .
The BCCI announced the 15-member squad on 2 May ; Smriti Mandhana serves as vice-captain.
World Cup warm-up fixtures begin on 6 June , with India facing the West Indies in Cardiff and England in Derby .
India's women's cricket team departed for the United Kingdom on 23 May from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, beginning a high-stakes tour that culminates in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025, hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) from 12 June. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur leads a 15-member squad that faces a gruelling group-stage draw before the tournament's knockout rounds.
England Tour as Warm-Up Ground
Before the World Cup gets underway, the Women in Blue will contest a three-match T20I series against England, with fixtures scheduled from 28 May to 2 June. The bilateral series doubles as a preparatory exercise for both sides ahead of the marquee tournament. Warm-up fixtures for the full 12-team field begin on 6 June.
India's warm-up schedule includes a clash against the West Indies at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, followed by a fixture against hosts England at the County Ground in Derby.
A Tough Group B Draw
India have been placed in Group B alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Netherlands — widely regarded as the tournament's more competitive half. The group includes the reigning T20 World Cup champions Australia and bitter rivals Pakistan, making every fixture consequential.
India open their campaign against Pakistan on 14 June, a fixture that consistently draws record viewership. They then face the Netherlands on 17 June at Headingley in Leeds, before back-to-back continental challenges against South Africa on 21 June and Bangladesh on 25 June, both at Old Trafford in Manchester. The group stage concludes with a blockbuster clash against Australia on 28 June at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
Squad Announced Earlier This Month
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the squad on 2 May at a press conference held at its headquarters in Mumbai. The announcement was addressed by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chief selector Amita Sharma, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. Head coach Amol Muzumdar was also present at the selection committee meeting that finalised the 15-member group.
The squad features vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, opener Shafali Verma, and experienced campaigners including Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Radha Yadav. Wicketkeepers Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia provide depth behind the stumps, while the pace attack features Renuka Thakur and Arundhati Reddy.
Full India Squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Bharti Fulmali, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandni Sharma, and Radha Yadav.
With the reigning ODI champions carrying considerable momentum into the tournament, all eyes will be on whether Harmanpreet's side can convert bilateral form into a first-ever Women's T20 World Cup title.
Point of View
Including Australia and Pakistan, before the knockout rounds even begin. Notably, the group stage ends with a potential statement match against Australia at Lord's on 28 June, a fixture that could double as a semi-final rehearsal. The bilateral series against England is useful preparation, but India's real test is whether the batting depth beyond Mandhana and Harmanpreet can hold up across six matches in under three weeks. The BCCI's squad selection, which includes several uncapped or lightly capped names, signals a transition phase — a calculated risk that could either unearth match-winners or expose thin margins against elite opposition.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does India play their first match at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025?
India open their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025 campaign against Pakistan on 14 June. The tournament itself begins on 12 June, hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Which group is India placed in for the Women's T20 World Cup 2025?
India are placed in Group B alongside Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. It is widely considered the more competitive of the two groups.
What is India's full schedule in Group B of the Women's T20 World Cup?
India face Pakistan on 14 June, the Netherlands on 17 June at Headingley in Leeds, South Africa on 21 June and Bangladesh on 25 June at Old Trafford in Manchester, and Australia on 28 June at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
Who is in India's Women's T20 World Cup 2025 squad?
The 15-member squad is led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. It includes Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Bharti Fulmali, Nandni Sharma, and Radha Yadav.
Will India play any warm-up matches before the Women's T20 World Cup?
Yes, India will play two warm-up fixtures starting 6 June — against the West Indies at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff and against England at the County Ground in Derby. They will also play a three-match T20I series against England from 28 May to 2 June as additional preparation.
