Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes no team starts as favourite at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 but says India’s ODI World Cup triumph gives them a crucial edge.
India's Smriti Mandhana bats during a training session ahead of the third T20I match against England Women in Taunton, England, on Tuesday, June 02, 2026. (Photo: IANS/X/@BCCIWomen)
Ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, former India captain Anjum Chopra believes no team enters the tournament as a favourite but says India possesses a significant psychological edge: the confidence of being reigning ODI world champions.
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will begin their Group 1 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday, aiming to lift their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title. The team heads into the tournament after a 2-1 series defeat to England and mixed results in the warm-up matches, beating West Indies before losing to England.
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Despite India’s inconsistent build-up, Chopra feels the side will draw confidence from last year’s 50-over World Cup triumph rather than dwell on previous T20 World Cup disappointments.
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“The biggest thing is that they will be walking into this World Cup with the confidence behind them of being world champions in the 50-over format. India has a lot of work to do in this tournament, but I won’t say they start as favourites. At the same time, I also believe nobody starts as favourites in this World Cup,” Anjum told IANS in an exclusive interaction.
She pointed to defending champions New Zealand as an example of how pre-tournament form often counts for little once a World Cup begins. The White Ferns had entered the 2024 edition after a prolonged losing streak before going on to lift the title.
“Even in 2024, New Zealand had lost almost 10 games before the T20 World Cup. But once the tournament started, things changed and they became world champions,” she said.
According to Chopra, every major contender enters the tournament with its own vulnerabilities.
“Australia have experience and are chasing another title. New Zealand will again be strong, and South Africa are probably better placed than many teams. But every side has areas of concern, which is why I don’t think anyone starts as favourites,” she added.
For the first time, the Women’s T20 World Cup features 12 teams, a development Chopra believes makes the competition more unpredictable than ever.
She warned that established teams cannot afford complacency, stressing that every league match could determine qualification for the knockout stages.
“Once you cross the boundary rope, rankings don’t matter. It’s about who plays better cricket on that particular day. There is absolutely no room for mistakes or complacency because every league game carries valuable points,” she said.
Chopra also highlighted the evolution of the women’s game, noting that totals approaching 200 runs are increasingly becoming the benchmark rather than an exception.
“The fact that 200 runs on the board is becoming a mandatory figure shows that you can’t be resting on scoring 150 or 160 anymore. That reflects how much the women’s game has evolved,” she observed.
The former skipper acknowledged the Women’s Premier League’s growing influence on India’s talent pipeline, with players such as Bharti Fulmali and Nandini Sharma earning opportunities at the highest level. However, she cautioned against expecting every newcomer to make an immediate impact.
“The WPL is definitely highlighting the talent the country is producing, and players are coming better prepared. But international cricket still requires time. Everyone will not adapt immediately. If they do, that’s brilliant, but patience is essential,” Chopra concluded.
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