The India women's cricket team is preparing for the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England following a historic ODI victory [1].
This transition marks a pivotal shift in the team's psychological approach. By securing a global title, the squad has moved from being contenders to champions, creating a blueprint for success that they intend to replicate in the shorter format of the game.
India won the Women's ODI World Cup in November 2025 [1], a triumph achieved on home soil. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the team now aims to establish a new era of dominance. "We want to make winning a habit," Kaur said [2].
The momentum from the 2025 title is fueling the squad's preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for June-July 2026 [3]. Players including Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues said the previous victory has removed a significant mental barrier.
"We are hungry," Mandhana said [4].
Rodrigues said the team's ambition has increased because they now know the feeling of hoisting a world trophy. "It is a bigger motivation now since we have won one," Rodrigues said [5].
The squad, which includes Veda Krishnamurthy, is focusing on maintaining this high level of performance while adapting to the conditions in England. The shift from the familiar environment of India to the English climate presents a tactical challenge, but the players believe the confidence gained from their recent success will outweigh these difficulties [1, 3].
“"We want to make winning a habit"”
India's transition from the 2025 ODI World Cup win to the 2026 T20 World Cup represents a strategic attempt to build a dynasty in women's cricket. By leveraging the psychological momentum of a home-soil victory, the team is attempting to break a historical ceiling and establish a consistent winning culture across different formats and international venues.
