An exciting clash between India and South Africa is set to take place today in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will aim to secure a hat-trick of wins in the tournament. However, they will face a strong South African side that defeated Pakistan in their previous match. Team India has suffered a major setback ahead of this game, as Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Here are details regarding the probable playing XIs for both teams, the pitch report, and the match prediction.
The 18th match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 between India and South Africa will be played at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Stratford. The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM, with the toss taking place at 6:30 PM. India enters this match having won both of their previous tournament games, whereas South Africa—after losing their opener against Australia—bounced back to defeat Pakistan in their last outing.
India's probable playing XI
Smriti Mandhana, Shefali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav, Shri Charani, Kranti Gaur, Nandani Sharma.
The BCCI has named Prema Rawat as the replacement for Shreyanka Patil, who has been ruled out of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup due to injury. However, she is unlikely to feature in the playing XI for today's match against South Africa. Radha Yadav, who is also a capable fielder, could take Shreyanka's place in the playing XI.
South Africa's probable playing XI
Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Suné Luus, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
IND-W vs SA-W Pitch Report
The Old Trafford pitch has a hard surface, offering good bounce to fast bowlers. However, as the game progresses, conditions will become more favorable for batsmen; therefore, cautious play will be required during the powerplay. Weather conditions suggest that fast bowlers will receive assistance in the opening overs, with the ball seaming and creating difficulties for the batsmen.
SA W vs IND W Probable Best Performers of the Match
Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana was India's best batter in the matches against Pakistan and the Netherlands. The left-hander scored a brilliant 68 off just 44 balls, followed by a powerful innings of 74 off 47 balls. Mandhana has made a fantastic start to the tournament, and India will be hoping for another strong score from her in the crucial upcoming match against South Africa.
N Shree Charani
Left-arm spinner N. Sri Charani is the tournament's leading wicket-taker, having claimed seven wickets. She took three wickets against Pakistan and subsequently claimed 4 for 19 against the Netherlands. With Shreyanka Patil injured, a greater responsibility will rest on Sri Charani.
IND-W vs SA-W: Who holds the upper hand?
A total of 24 T20 matches have been played between the Indian and South African women's teams so far; India has won 11 of these, while South Africa has won 10, with the remaining three matches ending in no result. Smriti Mandhana is in excellent form, having scored half-centuries in both T20 World Cup matches. Deepti Sharma has looked in good rhythm with both bat and ball, and Shafali Verma has provided the team with explosive starts. Meanwhile, the South African team lost its opening match against Australia. India holds the upper hand in today's match.
Also Read: SA-W vs IND-W My11circle, Vision11, Howzat Team, and Dream11 Prediction
