ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Begins: India Eyes Maiden Title as 12 Teams Battle in England
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins in England with 12 teams competing across 33 matches. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will aim for its first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title.
Pon Rathnavel
The 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets underway today, June 12, 2026, in England and will run until July 5, 2026. Hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the tournament features a record 12 teams and 33 matches, making it the largest Women’s T20 World Cup ever held.
The world’s top women cricketers will compete for the coveted trophy, with traditional powerhouses and emerging nations looking to make their mark on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.
Tournament Format
The 12 participating teams have been divided into two groups:
Group A
- Australia
- India
- South Africa
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Netherlands
Group B
- England
- New Zealand
- West Indies
- Sri Lanka
- Scotland
- Ireland
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, ensuring fierce competition throughout the league stage.
A Look at Past Champions
The Women’s T20 World Cup has produced several memorable champions since its inception in 2009:
| Year | Host | Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | England | England |
| 2010 | West Indies | Australia |
| 2012 | Sri Lanka | Australia |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Australia |
| 2016 | India | West Indies |
| 2018 | West Indies | Australia |
| 2020 | Australia | Australia |
| 2023 | South Africa | Australia |
| 2024 | Dubai | New Zealand |
Australia remains the most successful team in tournament history with six titles, while defending champions New Zealand will look to retain their crown.
Legends Set for Historic 10th World Cup
Several iconic cricketers will participate in their tenth Women’s T20 World Cup, highlighting their longevity and consistency.
The elite group includes:
- Suzie Bates
- Sophie Devine
- Ellyse Perry
- Stafanie Taylor
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Marizanne Kapp
- Chamari Athapaththu
Among tournament records:
- Suzie Bates leads all-time run scorers with 1,216 runs.
- Megan Schutt is the leading wicket-taker with 48 wickets.
- Meg Lanning holds the highest individual score record of 126.
- Deandra Dottin owns the best bowling figures of 5/5.
The oldest player in the tournament is Suzie Bates (38), while Netherlands youngster Lara Leehmus is the youngest at just 17.
India’s Quest for Glory
India enters the tournament with high expectations under head coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
The team arrives with significant momentum after winning the Women’s ODI World Cup and the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. Combined with India's recent success in men's age-group and T20 competitions, the country currently enjoys an impressive run across global ICC tournaments.
India has reached the semi-finals in five of the previous nine editions:
- 2009
- 2010
- 2018
- 2020
- 2023
The team's best performance remains its runner-up finish in the 2020 edition.
Key Indian Players
India's batting unit features:
- Shafali Verma
- Smriti Mandhana
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Harmanpreet Kaur
- Bharti Fulmali
Wicketkeeping duties will be handled by:
- Richa Ghosh
- Yastika Bhatia
The bowling attack includes:
- Deepti Sharma
- Radha Yadav
- Shreyanka Patil
- Sreecharani
- Renuka Singh
- Arundhati Reddy
- Kranti Goud
- Nandani Sharma
India will also look to surpass its own tournament records, including Harmanpreet Kaur's highest score of 103 and Renuka Singh's best bowling figures of 5/15.
India's Group Stage Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 14 | Pakistan | Birmingham |
| June 17 | Netherlands | Leeds |
| June 21 | South Africa | Manchester |
| June 25 | Bangladesh | Manchester |
| June 28 | Australia | Lord's |
Where to Watch
The tournament will be broadcast live on:
Fans can also follow updates through:
As the biggest Women’s T20 World Cup in history begins, cricket fans around the world can look forward to thrilling contests, emerging stars, and unforgettable moments. For India, the mission is clear: turn years of promise into a historic maiden T20 World Cup triumph.
