Ravichandran Ashwin Raises Concerns About India's Depth in Women's T20 World Cup

Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns regarding the depth of Team India following their victory over Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Despite a strong start, Ashwin believes the team may struggle against tougher opponents like Australia and England due to a lack of power in their lineup. As India prepares for upcoming matches against the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia, the team's performance will be crucial in determining their path to the semifinals. Will they overcome these challenges and secure a spot in the knockout stages?

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 15, 2026, 19:11 IST

India's Strong Start Against Pakistan

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced concerns regarding the depth of Team India following their victory against Pakistan in the group stage of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston on June 14.

India set a competitive total of 170/6, largely due to Smriti Mandhana's impressive 68 runs and Richa Ghosh's quick 34 runs off just 17 balls. The Indian bowlers then restricted Pakistan to 106 runs in 17 overs, with Deepti Sharma leading the charge, achieving remarkable bowling figures of 5 wickets for just 10 runs at an economy rate of 2.50 over four overs.

Shree Charani also made a significant contribution with three wickets for 21 runs at an economy rate of 5.20, while Shafali Verma played a crucial role by dismissing Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana, which contributed to the collapse of the Pakistani middle order.

Ashwin Questions Team India's Prospects

As India commenced their journey for the Women's T20 World Cup title with a win over Pakistan, Ashwin expressed doubts about the team's potential, stating he is 'not sure India will go very far' in the tournament due to a perceived 'lack of power' in the squad.

In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted that India might face challenges against stronger teams like Australia and England.

"I am uncertain about India's chances in this T20 World Cup because of the power deficit in the lineup. While the team performed well against Pakistan and their spin attack was effective, they still lack the depth that teams like England and Australia have," the 38-year-old remarked.

He further noted, "India's combination seems to be lacking in power-hitting options, which could pose a problem in tougher matches against more formidable opponents. Compared to the robust lineups of England and Australia, India's overall depth is a significant concern."

India's Upcoming Matches in the Tournament

After their opening match victory against Pakistan, Team India, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, is set to face the Netherlands on June 17 in Leeds. Following that, they will compete against two-time finalists South Africa and Bangladesh on June 21 and June 25, respectively, in Manchester.

The group stage will conclude with a crucial match against six-time champions Australia at Lord's in London on June 28. To secure a semifinal spot, the Harmanpreet-led team will need to win the majority of their remaining matches, with the encounter against Australia likely being a critical test of their tournament ambitions.

Winning three out of the next four matches could ensure a place in the semifinals, positioning India favorably as they aim to gain momentum heading into the knockout rounds. However, given the competitive nature of their group and the potential impact on net run-rate, every match, including the one against Australia, will be vital in shaping their path toward the championship.