As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 gets underway on June 12 with hosts England taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, former India cricketer Reema Malhotra believes Team India has a strong chance of lifting the coveted trophy.
Backed by a balanced squad featuring experienced batters and a potent spin attack, India enters the tournament with renewed confidence following its recent success on the global stage.
India’s Spin Attack Could Be the Difference
Malhotra highlighted the importance of India’s spin bowlers, stating that the quartet of Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and Shree Charani could play a decisive role in the team’s World Cup campaign.
According to her, the expected warm conditions during the tournament are likely to assist spinners, making India’s bowling unit a major strength.
“Winning the ODI World Cup has boosted the team’s confidence. Players now believe they can perform in any conditions and formats. If India’s spin attack performs well, the team has every chance of winning the title,” Malhotra said.
She also pointed out that all-rounder Shafali Verma can contribute with the ball when required, adding further depth to the squad.
Experience and Youth Form a Strong Combination
The former cricketer emphasized the importance of having experienced players guide younger members of the squad during a major tournament.
Despite some inconsistent batting performances during recent tours of South Africa and England, Malhotra believes those series served an important purpose.
“Before a World Cup, finding the right team combination is more important than winning bilateral series. The tours helped players gain match practice and confidence ahead of the tournament,” she explained.
Powerful Batting Line-Up Gives India Edge
India’s batting unit remains one of the strongest in the competition, featuring a blend of experience and explosive stroke play.
Malhotra praised the depth of the batting order, highlighting the presence of players such as:
- Smriti Mandhana
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh
- Yastika Bhatia
- Bharti Fulmali
She noted that Bharti Fulmali and Richa Ghosh provide valuable power-hitting options in the death overs, while Yastika Bhatia offers flexibility as an additional wicketkeeper.
Mandhana and Shafali Hold the Key
Malhotra reserved special praise for opening duo Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, describing them as potential match-winners capable of changing the course of a game within a few overs.
A strong start from the pair, combined with effective spin bowling in the middle overs, could significantly enhance India’s chances of ending its wait for a Women’s T20 World Cup title.
“Mandhana and Shafali will be extremely important. Both can change the momentum of a match. If they provide solid starts and the spinners deliver, India’s chances of winning the trophy increase considerably,” she said.
With a balanced squad, experienced leadership and multiple match-winners across departments, India will begin its Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as one of the tournament favourites.
