Winning the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 would be a great deal for Indian women’s cricket as it would signal its consistent and strong era, captain Harmanpreet Kaur said on Thursday.
In the latest ICC column, Harmanpreet opined that the team would have to maintain the standards it has set after the boost in confidence post winning its maiden Women’s World Cup in November 2025.
“Winning that World Cup was a seminal moment for women’s cricket in India. It was bigger than one trophy. Most importantly, it brought belief and showed young girls that the highest stage is not out of reach.” Harmanpreet said.
“Every ICC trophy has its own challenges. The format is shorter, the margins are smaller, and the pressure is greater. We will have to be sharper right from the start, and winning the key moments will be crucial,” she added.
Harmanpreet revealed that the preparation for the T20 tournament in England began right after the triumph in November last year and recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, Australia, and South Africa have helped the team test itself.
“The team management and the Board have been leaving no stone unturned when it comes to our preparations. We have had some excellent camps at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, which have helped us immensely. There have also been plenty of honest conversations. That is what makes me feel positive going into another ICC event,” the Indian captain said.
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She also credited Women’s Premier League (WPL) in helping players get exposure. “It has unearthed real talent and given players regular exposure to pressure situations, higher standards, and some of the best cricketers in the world. The players have grown in maturity, and the league has helped build a winning mindset.”
Harmanpreet is proud of how far the Indian women’s cricket has come since the 2017 ODI World Cup where the team reached the final. Although India lost, it helped in getting noticed which eventually helped in the growth of women’s cricket in the country.
“Looking back, I feel proud of how far we have come. Looking ahead, we want to keep getting better, pushing the standard higher and making winning a habit,” she concluded.
Published on May 21, 2026