Pooja Vastrakar Encourages Team India Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Pooja Vastrakar's Call for Momentum
Indian cricketer Pooja Vastrakar has called on the Women in Blue to maintain their impressive performance from the 2025 ODI World Cup as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in England from June 12 to July 5. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, India clinched their inaugural World Cup title in 2025, triumphing on home soil. Although Vastrakar is not part of the squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup in England, she is currently competing in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) Scindia Cup.
Building on ODI Success
In a recent interview, Vastrakar emphasized the importance of leveraging the momentum gained from the ODI World Cup for the T20 format. She highlighted the depth of experience within the team, stating that success will depend on players who can perform under pressure. "They performed exceptionally well in the ODI World Cup, so my advice is to carry that success into the T20 World Cup. It's not just about one or two players; many are key contributors, and it will be exciting to see who rises to the occasion," Vastrakar remarked.
Identifying Key Competitors
Vastrakar identified Australia and England as formidable opponents in the upcoming tournament. She acknowledged Australia's historical dominance in women's cricket and noted that England could have an edge due to home advantage. "Australia has been a powerhouse for a long time, and England might benefit from playing in familiar conditions," she stated.
Vastrakar's Role in the MPL
Currently, Vastrakar is leading the Chambal Ghariyals in the MPL, guiding them to the finals, which will take place on June 13 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
India's Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
As for India's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026, the team will be captained by Harmanpreet Kaur. The squad includes: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav.