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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the 15-member India Women's squad for the 2026 Women's Asia Cup, with Harmanpreet Kaur retaining the captaincy and Smriti Mandhana continuing as vice-captain. The tournament is expected to be held ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, although the official schedule is yet to be confirmed.
India will enter the continental tournament aiming to reclaim the Women's Asia Cup title after finishing runners-up in the previous edition. The squad remains largely unchanged from the team that featured in the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with only one notable injury-enforced omission.
BCCI Reveals India Women's Squad for Asia Cup 2026
The selectors have announced a well-balanced 15-member squad featuring a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent. Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side, while senior opener Smriti Mandhana has been named vice-captain.
India's batting unit includes Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Bharati Fulmali, while Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav strengthen the all-round department with their spin-bowling abilities.
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Behind the stumps, Richa Ghosh and G. Kamalini have been selected as the two wicketkeepers. The pace attack will be spearheaded by Renuka Thakur and Arundhati Reddy, with promising youngsters Nandini Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Prema Rawat, and Sree Charani also earning places in the squad.
India Women's Asia Cup 2026 Full Squad: Complete 15-Member Team List
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Bharati Fulmali
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh (WK)
- G. Kamalini (WK)
- Arundhati Reddy
- Prema Rawat
- Radha Yadav
- Sree Charani
- Renuka Thakur
- Nandini Sharma
- Kranti Gaud
Shreyanka Patil Misses Selection as BCCI Announces Asia Cup Squad
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The only major absentee from the squad is all-rounder Shreyanka Patil, who is yet to recover fully from injury. The selectors have otherwise retained the core group that represented India in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, showing confidence in the team's experienced players ahead of another major tournament.
India Target Record Eighth Women's Asia Cup Title in 2026
India remain the most successful team in the history of the Women's Asia Cup, having won the tournament seven times. However, they fell short in the previous edition after losing the 2024 final to Sri Lanka by eight wickets.
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu starred throughout the tournament, scoring 304 runs to win the Player of the Tournament award and helping her side lift its maiden Women's Asia Cup trophy.
Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will now be aiming to reclaim the continental crown and extend India's dominance in Asian women's cricket.
Can India Bounce Back After T20 World Cup Exit? Asia Cup Presents Big Opportunity
India enjoyed a memorable 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup campaign by lifting the coveted trophy, but the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup ended in disappointment as they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
The team secured wins over Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, but defeats against South Africa and Australia ended their campaign prematurely.
The upcoming Women's Asia Cup offers India an excellent opportunity to regain momentum, rebuild confidence, and prepare for the 2026 Asian Games.
India Face Tough Challenge from Defending Champions Sri Lanka
Defending champions Sri Lanka will be determined to retain their title, while Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other emerging Asian teams are also expected to challenge for the trophy.
With a squad packed with experienced campaigners, match-winners, and exciting young talent, India will once again begin the tournament as one of the favourites. All eyes will now be on Harmanpreet Kaur and her side as they look to bring the Women's Asia Cup trophy back to India.
