India-W face South Africa-W in formidable Group A challenge

Team India will be facing their strongest challenge of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup when they lock horns against the mighty South Africa in Manchester. India, who are currently in the second position with two wins from two games and a NRR of +3.975, will be hopeful of getting a head start against South Africa and restore their position on the top of the points table.

India have already made it two wins in two, beating Pakistan and Netherlands in their first couple of encounters. So far India have managed to put up all-round shows and that has been fairly overwhelming. However, against South Africa, who has lost their first game against Australia and secured a hard-fought win against Pakistan, it won’t be the same.

Despite the first two games testing the South Africans, they have immense depth in their side. With Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp being the beacon of brilliance for the Proteas, they will be hopeful of turning their campaign around. They have also got some solid bowling shape in the form of Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk and Shabnim Ismail.

India, on the contrary, will definitely be pinning their hopes on a high-firing top-order featuring the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur. The duo of Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma are also key to India flipping the game around in a heartbeat.

With two powerhouses colliding in Manchester, one would expect this game to feature a full-fledged show of fireworks. The team that wins might actually be the one to get a nod over the other with Australia being another favourite to qualify for the semis from the group.

Venue watch:

The bounce and carry on the surface of Manchester have always been true. The ball comes nicely onto the bat and you would expect the odd one to swing, especially when the lacquer is on. However, turners would come into the game in the latter half of the first battle while the second half might witness batters making merrier than the team setting the target.

Match detail:

Match: India vs South Africa, ICC Women’s T20I World Cup

Venue: Old Trafford Cricket Stadium, Manchester

Date: 21st June, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM

Head-to-head:

Matches played: 32

India: 17

South Africa: 14

Squads:

India:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandni Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.

South Africa:

Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Nierkerk