Our Bureau
Mumbai
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins on June 12 in England. Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the defending champions, aiming to win their second World Cup title.
Jemimah Rodrigues, a key batter in the lineup, set the tone for the team’s mindset. “We’re hungrier than ever,” Rodrigues said. “Since we’ve won once, now we want to make it twice. Usually after winning a World Cup, teams can get complacent, but this team is different.”
India won their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup last year at DY Patil Stadium, defeating their opponents to claim historic glory. Rather than resting on this achievement, the team has intensified its preparation. “Our preparation has been strong. It didn’t just begin after the squad announcement. Right after the 2025 World Cup, during our first series against Sri Lanka, coach Amol Muzumdar told us, ‘This is where we start for the next World Cup,'” Rodrigues revealed.
The squad includes two debutants: Bharti Fulmali and Nandani Sharma, both earning their maiden World Cup call-ups. Rodrigues praised Nandani specifically, stating, “Nandani has been fantastic for us. She proved herself not just in one game, but consistently across matches.”
Despite a recent 1-4 T20I series loss against South Africa, the team remains confident. “Sometimes failures teach you more than victories. We’ve taken it in the right spirit,” Rodrigues added. However, the team faces one setback: all-rounder Amanjot Kaur has been ruled out for several months due to injury. Coach Amol Muzumdar said, “It’s very difficult to replace someone like Aman.”
With a balanced mix of experience and youth, Team India is determined to defend their crown. As Rodrigues put it, “The future is bright not just in cricket, but across all sports.”
