India head coach Amol Muzumdar says the team's sustained success over the past three years has embedded a deep winning culture within the squad, as the reigning ICC Women's Cricket World Cup champions gear up for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Muzumdar expressed confidence that his players are fully prepared to handle the weight of expectation that comes with carrying the world champions tag into a new format.

Champions Entering Uncharted Territory

India arrive at the T20 World Cup having ended a long wait for senior women's ICC silverware by lifting the 50-over World Cup last year. That triumph has significantly raised the bar, but Muzumdar insists the squad is accustomed to pressure. 'There's pressure in every tournament, and the players are used to it. They've been playing international cricket for some time now. But in a tournament like the World Cup, we'll be going in as ODI World Cup champions for the first time,' he told JioStar.

The Habit of Winning

For Muzumdar, the team's confidence is not the product of a single trophy but of a sustained approach to every assignment on the international calendar. 'Winning is a habit. Over the last three years, we've tried to win every series and to treat each one as extremely important, regardless of who we're playing against. Once you get into the habit of winning series, it becomes second nature,' he said. Under captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Muzumdar, India have established themselves as one of the most consistent sides in women's cricket globally.

Preparation and Dedication

The coach praised the intensity of the squad's build-up, describing it as among the most committed preparation phases he has witnessed. 'The team has been working very hard on this for the past month. I've never seen a team, irrespective of gender, work so hard and be so dedicated towards one goal,' Muzumdar stated. The squad blends seasoned campaigners — Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues — with players who were not part of last year's World Cup-winning group.

Integrating New Faces

Bringing the newer members into the established team culture has been a priority for the coaching staff. Muzumdar highlighted the role of senior players in that process: 'It's about bringing the youngsters together. This team has seniors who are always ready to share whatever experiences they have gained.' He specifically pointed to wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia — sidelined for an extended period due to injury — as a player with the international pedigree to make an immediate impact on her return. 'She knows what international cricket is all about,' he noted.

The Message to the Squad

Muzumdar kept his directive to the players simple as India chase a second successive ICC title in a different format: 'Go out there, give your best, and try to win games for India. It's as simple as that.' With the confidence of world champions and a squad balancing experience with fresh talent, India head into the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 aiming to demonstrate that last year's triumph was the foundation of a sustained era of dominance, not a one-off peak.