India’s women’s team is set for a demanding 2026, with bilateral assignments, multi-format tours and major ICC and continental events on the agenda. The year follows the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), held from January 9 to February 5 across DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
With a packed itinerary ahead, the Women in Blue move into a stretch that includes an all-format contest in Australia, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, a one-off Test at Lord’s, the Asian Games in Japan, and tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Under captain Harmanpreet Kaur, India will look to carry momentum through both white-ball and red-ball cricket as the season progresses.
Post-WPL all-format series in Australia (February 15 to March 6)
Soon after the WPL ends, India travel to Australia for an all-format series scheduled from February 15 to March 6. The tour begins with three T20Is, offering a competitive lead-in toward the T20 World Cup. It then moves into three ODIs before closing with a one-off Test, a key fixture in India’s push to strengthen their red-ball record.
The contest renews a familiar rivalry, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s side up against Australia’s depth. Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma are among the players expected to play central roles as India use the tour to sharpen combinations across formats.
England tour and the Lord’s Test (May 28 to July 13)
India’s next major overseas trip takes them to England for three T20Is from May 28 to June 2, with England led by Nat Sciver-Brunt. The series comes in the build-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales, and could see the sides meet again during the tournament.
The tour then culminates in a landmark red-ball fixture: a one-off Test at Lord’s from July 10 to 13. With India returning to the venue for a statement opportunity, the match stands out as a major feature of their 2026 schedule, with Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh among the players who could influence the contest.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (June 12 to July 5)
England and Wales host the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup from June 12 to July 5, 2026, with matches across established venues. For India, the tournament is positioned between the England T20I series (May 28 to June 2) and the Lord’s Test that follows in July.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s team enter the event among the contenders and will be looking to build on preparation from the Australia tour and subsequent bilateral cricket. The schedule sets up a tight run of high-profile fixtures, with group-stage challenges and knockout ambitions shaped by how India balance experience and emerging talent through the tournament.
Women’s T20 Asia Cup (Dates and host TBA)
After the Lord’s Test, attention turns to the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, with the host nation and dates still to be confirmed. India remain regular title challengers and will use the competition as another test of their T20 depth following the World Cup, with players such as Shreyanka Patil among those to watch.
Asian Games in Japan (September 19 to October 4)
Japan will stage the 2026 Asian Games from September 19 to October 4, with T20I cricket included in the programme. India, having previously enjoyed success at the event, will go in as medal contenders in a condensed format that suits aggressive batting and fast-paced games, with Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh highlighted as key threats.
Maiden white-ball series against Zimbabwe (October–November)
India also have a first white-ball series against Zimbabwe listed for October–November, adding another chapter to their year of international cricket as the season moves toward its final stretch.
South Africa tour and first Test there since 2002 (December)
The year is set to finish with an all-format series in South Africa, including India’s first Test there since 2002. The tour’s white-ball leg is outlined as three ODIs followed by three T20Is in December, leading into the Test match. The schedule is described as South Africa’s first bilateral hosting since 2023 under Laura Wolvaardt.
Conditions are expected to place emphasis on seam bowling, with Renuka Singh mentioned as a leader of India’s pace attack against South Africa’s batting strength. The closing leg rounds out a calendar that spans multiple formats and major tournaments.
With bilateral series, ICC competition and continental events all in one year, 2026 shapes up as a significant stretch for India’s women’s side. With Harmanpreet Kaur in charge, the schedule offers opportunities for landmark results, including the Lord’s Test and a push for honours at the Asian Games.
