Will India complete a historic double? Can Australia make up for lost ground? Will this be South Africa’s eternal bridesmaid’s turn in the spotlight? Or will an underdog script be an exciting triumph? The 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will begin on June 12 in England, offers several interesting possibilities. Here’s a look at the contenders and challengers.
Also read | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Groups, complete schedule with schedules and venues
India
After winning the ODI World Cup last year (2025), India will be keen to get their hands on the T20 version to complete a major double, something only Australia has managed to achieve. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team has the wherewithal to do so, as evidenced by their series wins at home against Sri Lanka and Australia in the last six months.
But India faltered against South Africa (4-1) and England (2-1) away from home, and will also miss the wily all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who could have been a key operator in English conditions.
The Women in Blue will hope that the batsmen find their rhythm early on, and that the pace trio of Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy and Kranti Goud can put up incisive spells.
Some of the prominent players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh have played in the Hundred and Kia Super League and that experience will come in handy.
Australia
The six-time winners have a new captain in Sophie Molineux after Alyssa Healy called it a day.
But Australia’s true strength lies in its proven family core: Elysse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Megan Schutt, Alana King and Beth Mooney.
The addition of prolific opener Georgia Voll and left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton has further strengthened their team.
The Australians enter an ICC event without a trophy in their kit for the first time since 2017, and will surely want to correct that anomaly.
New Zealand
The champions come with a team that has experience and youth in the right combination, and could be a difficult group to beat.
Their hopes will mainly revolve around Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu. The Kiwis want to win the title for themselves, as the troika will walk away after this grand final.
However, all-rounder Amelia Kerr will be a key factor in New Zealand’s run as she has had wonderful touch with the bat of late. She was the player of the final and of the 2024 tournament.
His reputation and skills have only improved over the past two years.
England
The home team will be keeping an eye on the fitness of regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who missed the recent series against India. He is expected to be fit for the tournament.
But England, led by Charlie Dean, showed in that series that they can win without Sciver-Brunt, overturning a 0-1 deficit to record a 2-1 victory.
They also have very useful players in Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp and veterans Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
South Africa
In their bid to claim their first title, South Africa have signed the experienced Shabnim Ismail, but their real strength lies in flexible players such as Nadine de Klerk, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon and Dane van Niekerk, who can pack a powerful punch at any stage of the game.
Led by a composed Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa also have a capable bowling unit in Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka and Annerie Dercksen.
They are in the same group as India and Australia, and that forces them to always be on guard to advance to the semifinals.
The dark horse: Sri Lanka
The Islanders are in top form coming into this World Cup, winning five away games against Bangladesh and the West Indies.
The most obvious star of their team is captain Chamari Athapaththu, who will have to play a huge role with the bat in the tournament.
But in recent years, Lankans have managed to reduce dependence on their talisman, having unearthed talents like Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva and Kaveesha Dilhari.
But they have no attacking pace to rely on, and the spinners are expected to smother the opposition. The impact slow bowlers can have on England is debatable.
It could be your Achilles heel in the event.
Published – June 9, 2026 12:48 pm IST