Journey Of Indian Women’s Cricket Team During the T20 World Cups

The 10^th edition of the T20 World Cup 2026 will begin with hosts England and Sri Lanka facing in Group B clash to be played at Birmingham today at 11.00 PM IST.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Co have been placed with Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Netherlands in Group A. Their performances in the shortest format have not been up to the mark and would be looking to win their maiden T20 World Cup title during this prestigious event. 

Indian team will face arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening encounter to be played at Birmingham on 14^th June. Here we look at the Indian Team Journey in T20 World Cups. 

Year 2009 

The first edition of the T20 World Cup was played in England. Indian team was placed with hosts England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Group B. 

It was a disappointing start to the tournament for Women in Blue as they suffered a 10-wicket loss against hosts England at County Ground, Taunton. Indian captain Jhulan Goswami won the toss and decided to bat first. The Indian batters struggled as they made just 112 for 8 with Mithali Raj top score with 29. Indian bowling looked out of shape as they could not make any breakthroughs losing the match by 10 wickets with 26 balls to spare. 

The Indian team stormed back into the tournament with a 5 wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan. Priyanka Roy 5 for 16 in 3.5 overs ensured that India bundled out Pakistan for paltry total of 75. Despite some struggles, Anjum Chopra unbeaten 37 off 52 balls ensured that India chase down the target with 5 wickets remaining. Indian team performed brilliantly with a dominating 5 wicket win over Sri Lanka. In rain curtailed match reduced to 18 overs side, Indian bowlers restricted them to just 94 for 6. In reply, Mithali Raj unbeaten 32 off 22 balls ensured that India won the match by 5 wickets and made it into the semi-finals. 

Indian team faced New Zealand in the first semi-finals played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Thanks to unbeaten 89 off 58 balls, White Ferns posted 145 for 5 in 20 overs. Amit Sharma was the pick of bowlers with 2 for 21. In reply, the Indian batting unit struggled scoring just 93 for 9 with Amita Sharma top score with 24 from 27 balls. 

Priyanka Roy was the pick of bowlers for India with 6 wickets from 4 matches at an economy of 7.83 runs per over including best figures of 5 for 16. 

Year 2010 

The second edition of the T20 World Cup was held in West Indies. A total of 8 teams took part in the prestigious tournament.  Under the captaincy of Jhulan Goswami, the Indian team started their journey with a loss against White Ferns in their Group B fixture. Diana David bowled dream spell picking 4 for 27 in 4 overs. White Ferns posted 139 for 8 in 20 overs.

It was a disappointing batting effort by Indian batters with Mithali Raj top score with 44. Despite Amita Sharma unbeaten 28 off 16 balls, Indian Women fell short of the target by 10 runs. 

The Indian team cameback strongly in their next match registering dominating win over arch-rivals Pakistan. Priyanka Roy was the pick of bowlers with 3 for 19 in 4 overs to restrict Pakistan to 104 for 6 in 20 overs. In reply, Poonam Raut 54 off 54 balls ensured that India chase down the target with 20 balls to spare and 9 wickets remaining. 

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India won their next match also with a dominating 71 run win over Sri Lanka. After opting to bat first, Indian team posted 144 for 3 in 20 overs with Sulakshana Naik top score with 59 off 54 balls. Diana David showed her skills producing magical spell of 4 for 12 in 4 overs to help Indian women qualify for the semi-finals. Indian team faced off Australia in the first semi-finals on 13^th May 2010 at St Lucia. After opting to bat first, Indian batting failed to click as a unit posting just 119 for 5 in 20 overs. Poonam Raut top score with 44 off 51 balls. Despite Priyanka Roy efforts with 2 for 27 in 4 overs, Indian team lost the match by 7 wickets with 7 balls to spare. 

In the batting department, Mithali Raj finished as the second run scorer with 145 runs from 4 matches with best score of 52 not out. Diana David made solid impression with leading wicket taker with 9 wickets from 4 matches at an economy of 4.18 runs per over. 

Year 2012 

The third edition of the T20 World Cup was played in Sri Lanka. Under the captaincy of Mithali Raj, Indian team were placed with Australia, England and arch-rivals Pakistan. It was a disappointing performance by Indian team as they failed to win any single match. They suffered an 8 wicket in the first match against Australia. After opting to bat first, Indian team posted 104 for 8 in 20 overs with Poonam Raut top score with 21 off 21 balls. The bowling was not great as they could pick only 2 wickets losing in 17.2 overs. 

Indian team performance against England looked ordinary. The Indian batting struggled posting just 116 for 6 in 20 overs with Poonam Raut 51 off 57 balls. It was a disappointing bowling performance as they could pick only 1 wicket.

It was heartbreak end to the tournament as they suffered 1 run loss to arch-rivals Pakistan. Indian bowling showed their class restricting Pakistan to just 98 for 9 in 20 overs with Rasanara Parwin with 2 for 15 in 4 overs. In reply, Indian batting struggled on a slow and low pitch at Galle. Despite Jhulan Goswami efforts, Indian team suffered 1 run loss going out of the tournament. Poonam Raut finished the tournament with 135 runs from 5 matches with 1 fifty. 

Year 2014

For the first time, a total of 10 teams took part in the T20 World Cup history. Indian team were clubbed with England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group B. Indian team won 2 and lost 2 matches finishing 3^rd in the points table. India started the tournament with a 22-run loss to Sri Lanka at Sylhet.  Sri Lanka posted 128 for 8 in 20 overs with Poonam Yadav pick of bowlers with 2 for 20 in 3 overs. In reply, Indian batters struggled with Shikha Pandey top score including 22 off 19 balls as they could score 106 for 9 in 20 overs. 

Indian team disappointed with the bat in the 2^nd match against England. Mithali Raj made 57 off 56 balls as rest of Indian batters struggled scoring 95 for 9 in 20 overs. Despite discipline bowling effort, England chase down the target with 5 wickets remaining and 11 balls to spare. 

It was an impressive performance by Indian team as they registered dominating 79 run win over hosts Bangladesh. Thanks to a superb batting effort by Harmanpreet Kaur with 77 off 59 balls, Indian team posted 151 for 5 in 20 overs and restricted Bangladesh to 72 for 8 in 20 overs. 

They showed another dominating performance over West Indies. Indian bowlers produce a discipline bowling effort restricting West Indies to just 117 for 7. In reply, Poonam Raut 56 off 52 balls ensured that Indian team chase down the target in 17.4 overs with 9 wickets remaining. 

Year 2016

The fifth edition of the T20 World Cup was held in India from 15^th March to 3^rd April 2016 including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Dharmshala, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mohali.Under the captaincy of Mithali Raj, the Indian registered only one win in Group B. They started their tournament with a dominating 72 run win over Bangladesh. It was an impressive batting performance by Indian team as they posted 163 for 5 in 20 overs. The Indian bowlers performed brilliantly to restrict Bangladesh for a paltry total of 91 for 5. 

Indian team suffered heartbreak 2 run loss via DLS method against arch-rivals Pakistan. It was a disappointing batting performance by Indian team posting just 96 for 7 in 20 overs with Veda Krishnamurthy top score with 24 off 19 balls. Despite a superb bowling effort by the bowlers, rain arrived with Pakistan at 77 for 6 in 16 overs.

Mithali Raj and Co suffered narrow 2 wicket loss in a low scoring thriller at Dharmshala. After being asked to bat first, Indian women posted just 90 for 8 in 20 overs with Harmanpreet Kaur top score with 26 off 25 balls. Despite Ekta Bisht 4 for 21 from 4 overs, Indian women could not cross the line and lost the match by 2 wickets with 1 over to spare. 

Indian team tournament ended in another heartbreak with 3 run loss to West Indies at Mohali. After opting to bowl first, Indian bowlers restricted West Indies for just 114 for 8 in 20 overs with Harmanpreet Kaur 4 for 23 in 4 overs. It was a disappointing batting performance as they could only make 111 for 9 in 20 overs and knocked out of the tournament. No Indian bowler and batter included in the top 5 leading wicket takers. 

Year 2018

For the 2^nd time, West Indies hosted the T20 World Cup from 9^th-24^th November 2018. Indian team finished top of Group B winning all their matches against New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia. Harmanpreet Kaur began the tournament with a superb 103 off 51 balls in first match against White Ferns to help Indian team post 194 for 5 and then restricted them to just 160 for 9 with a 34-run win.  The second match saw Indian team registering a dominating 7 wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan. It was a disciplined bowling effort by Indian bowlers as they restricted Pakistan to just 133 for 7. Mithali Raj 56 off 47 balls ensured that India chase down the target with 7 wickets remaining and 1 over to spare. 

India’s 3^rd match of the tournament saw them continue their winning run with 52 run win over Ireland. Mithali Raj led from the front with 51 off 56 balls helping Indian women post 145 for 6 in 20 overs and restricted Ireland to 93 for 8. 

It was a superb performance by the Indian team in their last league match against Australia. Smriti Mandhana produce magical performance with 83 from 55 balls helping Indian team post 167 for 8 in 20 overs and bundled Australia for just 119 to win by 48 runs. 

Indian team took on England in the 2^nd Semi-finals against England at Antigua. Apart from Smriti Mandhana 34 off 23 balls, Indian batters struggled and bundled out for 112 in 19.3 overs. Despite early strikes, Indian bowlers failed to make an impact losing by 8 wickets with 17 balls.

Harmanpreet Kaur made 183 runs from 5 matches finishing as 2^nd leading run scorer while Mandhana scored 178 runs from 5 matches. Despite their efforts, Indian team fail to make the finals. 

Year 2020

This was the first time that Indian women’s team created history by reaching the finals of T20 World Cup for first time. The tournament was played in Australia from 21^st February to 8^th March. Harmanpreet Kaur was appointed as the captain after the departure of Mithali Raj. Indian team started the tournament stunning the hosts Australia by 17 runs at Sydney. Despite some solid starts, Deepti Sharma unbeaten 49 off 46 balls ensured that India posted 132 for 4. Poonam Yadav turned a web around the Aussies batting with 4 for 17 in 4 overs to ensure that Indian team register famous win. 

Shafali Varma showed intent right from the word go with quickfire start with 39 off 17 balls. Despite her performance, Indian women posted 142 for 6 in 20 overs. Poonam Yadav was the pick of bowlers for India again with 3 for 18 in 4 overs to ensure that Indian team register 18 run win. Indian team register a closely fought 3 run win over White Ferns in their 3^rd Group Stage match. Shafali Varma looked in sublime touch with 46 from 34 balls. Despite her performance, India posted just 133 for 8. The Indian bowlers held their nerves to win 3 out of 3 matches. 

Their last match of the league stage saw them registering a commanding 7 wicket win over Sri Lanka. Radha Yadav 4 for 23 in 4 overs restricts SL to 113 for 9 in 20 overs. Shafali Varma quickfire 47 off 34 balls helps India chase down with 7 wickets remaining. 

After heavy rains washed out without a single ball being bowled against England, Indian team qualified for the finals after finishing top of points table. 

The Indian team could not rise to the occasion as they lost to hosts Australia in front of the full house crowd played at MCG. Australian team posted massive total of 184 for 4 in 20 overs. Deepti Sharma took 2 for 38 in 4 overs. In reply, the batters struggled and bundled out cheaply for just 99 runs. 

Poonam Yadav and Megan Schutt took 13 wickets each but due to better economy, Megan Schutt finished as leading wicket taker. 

Year 2023

The 8^th edition of the tournament was held in South Africa. A total of 10 teams took part in this prestigious event including 3 venues namely Cape Town, Boland Park, Paarl and St George Park, Port Eliazbeth. 

Indian team were placed with West Indies, England, Pakistan and Ireland in Group 2. It was a perfect start for Kaur and Co with an impressive 7 wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan. Pakistan women made 149 for 4 in 20 overs providing a decent challenge to Indian batters. Thanks to Jemimah Rodrigues unbeaten 53 off 38 balls, Indian women won by 7 wickets with 1 over to spare. 

It was another impressive performance by Indian team as they register a 6 wicket win over West Indies. Deepti Sharma took 3 for 15 in 4 overs restricting WI to 118 for 6 in 20 overs. In reply, Richa Ghosh unbeaten 44 from 32 balls ensured that Indian women chase down the target easily.  The Indian team suffered their first defeat of the league stage against England. Renuka Singh produced a magical spell with 5 for 15 in 4 overs. Despite her efforts, England posted 151 for 7 in 20 overs. Despite Smriti Mandhana 52 from 41 balls, other batters struggled losing by just 11 runs. 

Indian women’s team finished the league stage with 5 run win over DLS method against Ireland. Thanks to Smriti Mandhana, 87 from 56 balls, India posted 155 for 6 in 20 overs. With the scoreboard reading 54 for 2 in 8.2 overs, rain arrived. 

The Indian team suffered heartbreak loss to Australia in the first semi-finals at Cape Town. Shikha Pandey put on discipline bowling effort with 2 for 32 from 4 overs. Chasing 173 runs to win, Harmanpreet Kaur scored 52 off 34 balls and looked to take game away from Australia. Her unfortunate run out changed the game, as Indian team lost by 5 runs with 167 for 8. 

Year 2024

The Indian team failed to qualify from the Group Stage in 2024 T20 WC played in Dubai from 3^rd-20^th October.They played their first match against White Ferns. The Indian bowling and fielding were not up to the mark as they gave away 160 for 4. Renuka Singh took 2 for 27 in 4 overs. In reply, the Indian batters struggled against top quality bowling bundled out for 102 losing by massive 58 run.  Needing to win with massive margin against arch-rivals Pakistan, Indian bowlers restricted them cheaply to 105 for 8 in 20 overs. Arundhati Reddy took 3 for 19.It was a struggle for Indian batters as they could not time the ball, but eventually won the match by 6 wickets with 7 balls to spare. 

The Indian team produce a dominating display registering 82 run win over Sri Lanka. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma put on 98 runs opening partnership as India posted 172 for 3 in 20 overs. Arundhati Reddy and Asha Shobana 3 wicket haul each bundled SL cheaply for 90.

Needing to stay alive in the tournament, Indian women lost to Australia by 9 runs in a low scoring match at Sharjah. It was a good bowling effort by bowlers as they restricted Australia to 151 for 8 in 20 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur played a captains knock with unbeaten 54 off 47 balls, but could not take her side home. 

Indian Women’s T20 World Cup Squad (2026) 

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Varma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Renkua Singh Thakur.