The reigning Women’s ODI World Cup champions, India, are set to be back in action, this time in a different format. India Women will begin a five-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka Women on December 21. This series will mark the start of preparations for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
In the last edition in 2024, India failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Fans will now hope to see the team replicate their 50-over success in the T20 format and bring another ICC title home. A strong 15-member squad has been announced for the Sri Lanka series, featuring a few new names. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana her deputy.
Strength
India head into the series with a proven and strong batting unit, led by Shafali Verma and Smriti at the top. Shafali has been consistent and effective in the shorter format and will look to continue that form.
Since January 2024, Smriti has scored 984 runs in 26 WT20I innings, averaging 42.8 at a strike rate of 128.79, including nine fifties and one century, making her the world’s third-highest run-getter in this period. Shafali, meanwhile, has scored 707 runs in 24 WT20I innings, averaging 33.66 at a strike rate of 133.39, with four fifties.
Jemimah Rodrigues is expected to bat at No. 3 after proving her value in that role during the ODI World Cup. Skipper Harmanpreet will likely bat at No. 4 to steady the innings. Flexibility further down the order, with players like Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Amanjot Kaur, and others, adds depth to the batting unit.
Weakness
The middle-order could be a concern on days when the top-order fails. This team heavily depends on the opening pair of Smriti and Shafali. Numbers reflect that since January 2024, they have added 1091 runs in 23 WT20I innings, averaging 51.95, the second-most by any pair in the world.
If the top four are dismissed cheaply, the responsibility will fall on players like Deepti, Richa, and Amanjot to rebuild and get the team to a competitive score. Handling such situations could be a challenge, but also an important learning phase ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Opportunity
The series offers a big opportunity for youngsters like wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini and left-arm orthodox spinner Vaishnavi Sharma. Over the past year, both have delivered consistent performances in the domestic circuit. Kamalini’s form earned her a retention with the most successful WPL franchise, the Mumbai Indians (MI), for the next season.
Although Vaishnavi went unsold in the auction, her domestic performances did not go unnoticed, resulting in a maiden India call-up. For Kranti Gaud, this series provides a chance to settle into the T20I format.
She has already shown her ability in 15 WODIs, playing a key role in India’s World Cup triumph. However, she has played only one T20I so far, conceding at an economy of 8.66 without taking a wicket.
Threat
India’s pace bowling unit includes Amanjot, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti, and Renuka Singh Thakur. However, the fitness of Renuka and Amanjot remains crucial and could be a concern due to the lack of strong back-up pace options.
Another possible threat is the absence of a wrist spinner. Even in the ODI World Cup-winning team, there was no leg-spinner in the playing group, with Prema Rawat and Priya Mishra named as reserves.
Looking ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup, a leg-spinner could add variety and give Harmanpreet more tactical options. In the shortest format, leg-spinners have often been effective, making this an area India may look to address before the mega event.
India’s squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma.
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