Smriti Mandhana Confident India Can Carry Winning Momentum into ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 India enters the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with a strong sense of purpose, fueled by recent successes in the 50-over format and a victorious T20I series against Australia. Star batter Smriti Mandhana emphasized the team's hunger to build on their momentum, citing the World Cup victory and domestic experiences as key factors in their preparation. "We will like to continue the good form we've had, especially after winning the 50-over World Cup," Mandhana told BCCI.tv. She highlighted the importance of the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Australia series in sharpening the squad's skills and confidence. The Indian team has made significant strides in power-hitting over the past few years, with players like Richa Ghosh, Shafali Verma, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the charge. Mandhana credited this aggressive approach as a defining strength, noting how it has inspired younger batters to adopt a more fearless style. "We have so many power hitters coming in later in the order," she said. "That gives us flexibility to take our time and play smartly." Mandhana also praised the consistency of veteran players like Harmanpreet, who have been instrumental in shaping the team's attacking mindset. Mandhana's journey to the top of the sport has been deeply influenced by her early experiences at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. At 17, she played her first World Cup and was struck by the respect the Australian team commanded on the global stage. "I saw the respect for the Australian team, and that inspired me to want to win the World Cup for India," she recalled.#india #smriti_mandhana #icc_women_s_t20_world_cup_2026 #women_s_premier_league #bcci_tv
