New Delhi, June 14: The Indian women’s cricket team will kick off its campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a high-stakes match against Pakistan this Sunday. Former assistant coach Abhishek Nair emphasizes that the team should focus on more than just winning matches. Given the unpredictable English weather, which can change the course of the tournament, Nair suggests that India should aim for significant victories early on to avoid complications later in the group stage.
After clinching the ODI World Cup title in November 2025, the Indian women’s team enters the T20 World Cup as one of the strong contenders. While qualifying for the knockout stage is their primary goal, Nair stresses that the net run rate could be a decisive factor in a tournament that may be affected by rain.
Nair told ‘GeoStar’, “India needs to be mindful of the weather. Rain is always a crucial factor when playing in England. Matches can be shortened or even canceled due to rain. Therefore, they cannot just aim to win; they must win by large margins. The net run rate could determine who advances. This means India should bat first, set a big score, restrict opposing teams to low totals, and finish matches quickly.”
He added, “You would want your qualification to be almost assured before facing Bangladesh and Australia in the last two group matches. Yes, they are strong teams, and you cannot underestimate them, but you wouldn’t want to be in a position where you need to win those matches to qualify. Hence, India should strive to win all group stage matches by significant margins to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey to the semifinals.”
The former all-rounder noted that a strong start would allow Harmanpreet Kaur’s team to play with more freedom in the later matches of the group stage. Besides strategic considerations, Nair also discussed the pressure on India as one of the tournament favorites. However, he argues that this pressure may weigh more heavily on their rivals, particularly Pakistan, when the two teams meet.
Nair stated, “The pressure to win is greater on Pakistan compared to India. In terms of skill and team strength, India is far ahead in women’s cricket. India is entering this tournament as the favorite, and everyone views them through that lens. Pakistan has some talented players, but they lack depth and consistency. Their batting relies heavily on a few players, and their bowling may fluctuate under pressure. Therefore, India will have the advantage in this match.”
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