India announce squad for Women's T20 World Cup 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held later this year. The selection committee has made some surprising decisions, leaving out experienced players like Amanjot Kaur and young talent Kashvee Gautam.
Key inclusions and exclusions
The squad sees the return of several key players who have been performing consistently in domestic and international matches. However, the omission of Amanjot Kaur, who has been a regular in the T20 setup, has raised eyebrows. Similarly, Kashvee Gautam, who impressed in recent outings, has also been excluded.
The selection committee, led by chairperson Neetu David, stated that the squad was chosen based on current form and team balance. "We have picked the best possible combination to perform well in the World Cup. While it is tough to leave out players like Amanjot and Kashvee, we believe this squad has the right mix of experience and youth," David said.
Full squad
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)
- Yastika Bhatia (Wicketkeeper)
- Pooja Vastrakar
- Radha Yadav
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Shikha Pandey
- Harleen Deol
- Sneh Rana
- Meghna Singh
Reactions and expectations
Cricket experts have expressed mixed reactions to the squad announcement. While many agree that the core group remains strong, the absence of Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam has sparked debate. Former India captain Anjum Chopra commented, "The selectors have gone with experience, but it remains to be seen if the middle order has enough depth."
The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted by England, with matches scheduled across multiple venues. India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on May 15. The team will undergo a preparatory camp in Bengaluru before departing for the tournament.
