Yastika, Radha return; Nandni earns maiden call-up for India's 2026 Women's T20 WC squad
Synopsis
India's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup squad balances experience with fresh talent. Yastika and Radha's returns bolster middle-order and all-round options, while Nandni's maiden call-up signals a bowling reshuffle forced by injury. The squad's composition reflects India's bid to finally claim a T20 World Cup title after a runners-up finish in 2020.
Key Takeaways
Yastika Bhatia and Radha Yadav return to India's squad for the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup .
Uncapped pacer Nandni Sharma , first Indian bowler to pick a hat-trick in WPL 2026, earns maiden call-up.
Squad announced on 2 May at BCCI headquarters, Mumbai by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and chief selector Amita Sharma .
Injuries to Amanjot Kaur (back) and Kashvee Gautam (right knee) weaken pace options.
India open campaign against Pakistan on 14 June in Birmingham ; tournament runs 12 June–5 July .
Same squad plays three T20Is against England from 28 May–2 June as World Cup preparation.
India on Saturday announced their 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia and all-rounder Radha Yadav making returns to the side, while uncapped pacer Nandni Sharma earned a surprise maiden call-up. The squad was unveiled at a press conference at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on 2 May, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chief selector Amita Sharma, and secretary Devajit Saikia addressing the media.
Key selections and comebacks
Radha Yadav returns after a productive T20I series win in England last year and has delivered consistent all-round performances in 2026. Yastika Bhatia makes her comeback after recovering from knee surgery, having missed the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup following an injury sustained during the pre-tournament camp in Visakhapatnam. Nandni Sharma, a breakout performer in the WPL 2026 and the first Indian bowler to claim a hat-trick in the competition, has been added to strengthen a bowling unit weakened by injuries.
Bowling concerns and injury setbacks
The selection reflects India's injury challenges in the pace department. Seam-bowling all-rounders Amanjot Kaur (back injury) and Kashvee Gautam (requiring right knee surgery) have been ruled out, leaving the bowling attack with an inexperienced look. Nandni's inclusion directly addresses this gap, with her WPL performances earning her a spot in India's global squad.
Tournament structure and India's path
India are the first team from Group 1 to announce their squad for the tournament, which runs from 12 June to 5 July. They are grouped alongside six-time champions Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Harmanpreet Kaur's side will open their campaign against Pakistan on 14 June in Birmingham, followed by matches against the Netherlands (17 June, Leeds), South Africa (21 June, Manchester), Bangladesh (25 June, Manchester), and Australia (28 June, Lord's).
India's T20 World Cup quest
India have yet to win a global title in the T20 format, with their best result being runners-up in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup held in Australia. The 2026 edition offers a fresh opportunity for the side to break the drought, particularly after claiming the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup on home soil. A maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup trophy would mark a significant milestone for Indian women's cricket.
England series as preparation
The same 15-member squad will also feature in a three-match T20I series against England from 28 May to 2 June, providing crucial preparation ahead of the World Cup. This series will serve as the final tuning ground for the team before their tournament opener against Pakistan.
Point of View
But the Nandni gambit—promoting an uncapped bowler into a World Cup squad—signals how depleted the pace attack has become. With Amanjot and Kashvee sidelined and no marquee fast-bowling all-rounder in the mix, India are betting on youth and WPL form over proven tournament experience. That's a calculated risk in a format where execution under pressure matters more than domestic franchise success.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the new additions to India's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup squad?
Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, and uncapped pacer Nandni Sharma are the key inclusions. Yastika returns after knee surgery, Radha comes back following strong T20I performances in England, and Nandni earns her maiden call-up after a breakout WPL 2026 season.
Why was Nandni Sharma selected despite being uncapped?
Nandni Sharma was selected to strengthen India's bowling attack, which has been weakened by injuries to seam-bowling all-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam. Her standout WPL 2026 performances, including being the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the competition, earned her a World Cup berth.
When and where does India's T20 World Cup campaign begin?
India open their 2026 Women's T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on 14 June in Birmingham. The tournament runs from 12 June to 5 July, with India grouped alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
How will India prepare for the World Cup?
The same 15-member squad will play a three-match T20I series against England from 28 May to 2 June, serving as final preparation before the World Cup opener on 14 June.
What is India's best result in Women's T20 World Cups?
India's best result is runners-up finish in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup held in Australia. They have yet to win a global title in the T20 format, though they won the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup on home soil.
