India names uncapped Sharma in 2026 T20 WC squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on Monday, naming uncapped Chandigarh pacer Nandani Sharma for her maiden national call-up alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana.

Sharma, a 24-year-old seamer, earned her spot after a standout debut season with Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League, where she claimed 17 wickets to finish as the joint-highest wicket-taker. She became the first uncapped Indian to take a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick in the same tournament, including a four-wicket performance against Gujarat Titans. The same squad will contest a three-match T20I series against England from May 28 to June 2 as preparation for the World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 5 across England and Wales. India has also named a squad for a one-off Test against England at Lord's following the tournament.

Harmanpreet Kaur will lead India for the fifth time in the T20 World Cup, drawing on her experience from every edition since 2010. The lineup blends established stars like openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, middle-order anchors Jemimah Rodrigues and allrounder Deepti...