New Delhi, June 12: The Indian women’s cricket team is entering the T20 World Cup 2026 as a strong contender. Former captain Anjum Chopra stated that the team carries the confidence of being the ODI World Champions.
In an exclusive interview, Chopra remarked, “No team is entering the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the clear favorite. The Indian team stands out with the confidence of being the 2025 ODI World Cup champions.”
Chopra emphasized that the Indian team has moved past its 2024 T20 World Cup campaign and is now focused on the present. “The key point is that Indian players will step onto the field with the confidence of being world champions. This mental edge can be crucial in any major tournament,” she added.
She noted that India has had memorable performances in past T20 World Cups, including the semifinals in 2018 and the finals in 2020. However, the team still needs to strengthen its impact in the T20 format. Despite this, she does not consider India the tournament favorite. “In the World Cup, no team can be placed above the others,” she stated.
Chopra provided an example of the reigning champions, New Zealand, who faced a series of losses before their last edition. Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, they had lost nearly ten matches, yet they made a remarkable comeback to win the title. This illustrates that past records do not always dictate outcomes in World Cup tournaments.
She mentioned that teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and India all have their concerns. Australia boasts experience and aims for a seventh title, while South Africa appears to be a formidable team. Nevertheless, no team can be declared the winner before the tournament begins.
Chopra warned the Indian team that there is little room for error in this tournament. Every point in the group stage matches is vital, as only two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. Any carelessness in a match could jeopardize the team’s campaign.
On the rapidly evolving landscape of women’s cricket, Chopra said, “A few years ago, scores of 150 or 160 runs were considered competitive in T20 cricket, but that has changed. Today, scores of 200 runs are becoming common, indicating the growth of women’s cricket. Batters are now more aggressive, and team strategies have also evolved. This shift has made women’s cricket more competitive and exciting than ever before, complicating predictions for potential World Cup winners.”
Chopra praised the Women’s Premier League for introducing new talent to Indian cricket. The emergence of players like Shreyanka Patil, N. Shreecharani, Bharti Fulmali, and Nandini Sharma is a testament to this. However, she also noted that performing well in the Women’s Premier League and succeeding at the international level are two different challenges.
She stressed that young players need time to establish themselves in international cricket. While some may achieve quick success, most require patience to refine their skills and adapt to international challenges.
This World Cup features a record 12 teams. Chopra emphasized that no team should be taken lightly. All teams have worked hard to reach this level, and once on the field, rankings become irrelevant. The team that plays better cricket on the day will win.
In conclusion, Anjum Chopra asserted that the Indian team possesses ample talent, experience, and confidence. If players can perform at their best under pressure, India may fulfill its dream of lifting the Women’s T20 World Cup trophy for the first time.
The Indian team will kick off its World Cup campaign against Pakistan on Sunday.
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