13 June,2026 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Smriti Mandhana (Pic: X/@BCCIWomen)
The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is already underway, and the cricket fans will be excited to witness the high-octane match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
Team India will begin the campaign by playing the first match against Pakistan on June 14 at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.
Ahead of the match, Team India's star batswoman Smriti Mandhana said that the "Women in Blue" are "hungry" to do well in the global tournament.
"More than anything, I feel this team is really hungry. Everyone looks determined to do the right things and, for sure, we would like to carry our form into the T20 World Cup," she said on JioStar.
She also spoke about the change that she has made to her batting. The 29-year-old cricketer said that she will be focused on making better use of powerplay and constructing her innings according to game's situation.
"For me, the biggest change has been making better use of the Powerplay and understanding what I can do between overs 6 and 10, then pacing my innings accordingly, whether we are chasing or batting first," said Mandhana.
"There is just one mindset, to do well for India in whatever situation the team requires. If needed, I can anchor the innings or be the aggressor. That's my job," she added.
She also gave special mention to Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur by highlighting the team's batting depth.
"We have the likes of Shafali, Richa and Harman, we have so many power-hitters coming in later. Even me and Jemimah, in our own ways, can find a way to play at a similar strike rate," said the Mumbai-born cricketer.
The semi-final 1 of the mega event will be played on June 30 at The Oval in London, followed by the semi-final 2 on July 2 at the same venue.
The title clash of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played on July 5 at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues, Arundhati Reddy, Bharti Fulmali, Renuka Singh, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Shreyanka Patil, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.
Pakistan: Diana Baig, Iram Javed, Aliya Riaz, Ayesh Zafar, Muneeba Ali (WK), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Fatima Sana (C), Tube Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Gull Feroza, Eyman Fatima, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab.
