Smriti Mandhana At Top, Surprise Package At 6? India's Strongest XI For Women's T20 World Cup

India strongest XI for Women's T20 World Cup [Source: AFP]

On Saturday, India announced its squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England from June 12 to July 5. The selectors have assembled a strong squad for the marquee event, with hardly any noticeable changes made from the last T20I series played by the team.

As expected, Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, and Smriti Mandhana will be her deputy. Yastika Bhatia returns to the side, while Amanjot Kaur, and Pratika Rawal miss out in the final squad for the T20 World Cup.

With India revealing a competitive team for the Women’s T20 World Cup, here is their strongest XI for the marquee World Cup event.

India Women's T20 World Cup full squad

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Goud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav

India's predicted XI For Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Openers and top order: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues

The Indian Women’s team possesses a strong top three, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues all included. Mandhana has been stellar for the team this year in the T20Is, having scored 191 runs in six matches, with a strike rate of 134.

Shafali Verma provides the attacking option at the top, as she has the ability to take down the attack inside the first 6 overs. However, Shafali needs to be a bit more consistent as India needs her quickfire runs.

The top order will be completed by Jemimah Rodrigues, who can chip in with quick runs, and has the ability to constantly rotate the strike with singles and doubles to frustrate the bowlers.

Also Read: BCCI Announces India T20 World Cup Squad; Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol Out

Middle order and all-rounders: Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh(wk)

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will play at number 4, and she’ll be responsible for scoring runs at a rapid pace in the middle-overs. Harmanpreet is one of thre best spin-hitters in the Indian side, and taking them down will be a key task for her at 4.

Deepti Sharma has shown that she, too, can slam runs at a rapid rate, and alongside her, the finishing flurries will be provided by Richa Ghosh (India’s best T20 player), and the talented Bharti Fulmali, who can be the surprise package for the team in the middle-order with her power-hitting abilities.

Bowlers: Shreyanka Patil, Kranti Goud, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur

India has a variety in their bowling attack, with Shreyanka Patil, the RCB star, leading the spin department alongside Deepti Sharma. There is also Sree Charani, who can work as India's X-factor in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The pace department will be led by the talented Kranti Goud and Renuka Singh Thakur. While Renuka can be India’s trump card in the power play, Goud has the ability to take wickets in the slog overs, and she’ll be tasked to complete that role in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

India's Strongest XI For the Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh(wk), Shreyanka Patil, Kranti Goud, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur

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