Pooja Vastrakar Encourages Team India to Maintain Momentum for T20 World Cup 2026

Pooja Vastrakar's Call for Continuity in Performance

Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 10: Indian cricketer Pooja Vastrakar has called on the Women in Blue to sustain their impressive form from the victorious 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 turf. 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.

In a recent interview, she emphasized the importance of building on the momentum gained from the ODI World Cup as they head into the T20 format.

Vastrakar highlighted the depth of experience within the team, stating that success will depend on players who can manage pressure effectively, suggesting that the standout performer could emerge from this group.

“The team performed exceptionally well in the ODI World Cup, so my advice is to carry that success into the T20 World Cup. We have multiple key players with experience, and it will be exciting to see how they perform. The player who manages pressure best will likely become the hero of this tournament,” Vastrakar remarked.

She also acknowledged Australia, the six-time champions, and England, the inaugural T20 World Cup winners, as formidable opponents for the 2026 tournament. Vastrakar pointed out Australia’s historical dominance in women’s cricket and noted that England could leverage their home advantage.

“Australia has been a dominant force for a long time, and England may benefit from playing in their home conditions,” she added.

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.

As for India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, they will be captained by Harmanpreet Kaur.

India’s T20 World Cup 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.