India women are set to head into their final major preparation assignment before next month’s Women’s T20 World Cup when they face England in a three-match T20I series beginning on Thursday at County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford. The global tournament is set to start on June 12, and this series presents a crucial opportunity for the Indian side to fine-tune combinations and build momentum at the right time.

Over the past year, India have shown immense potential, maintaining an edge against top oppositions with memorable performances. However, they have struggled to sustain the same intensity across entire series, which they will be eager to overcome before heading into the high-pressure World Cup campaign. India touch down in England with confidence drawn from their previous tour of the country less than a year ago. In that tour, the Indian side enjoyed a highly successful outing, securing victories in both the ODI and T20I series. 

Those positive results will help India challenge England in their own conditions. In 2026, their performance so far has been a mixed one. Earlier this year, India scripted a historic series win in Australia – their first on Australian soil in ten years. But they later endured a disappointing T20I series defeat in South Africa, losing 4-1. Going into this series, India’s batting unit will continue to rely heavily on their experienced top order. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma will be expected to provide aggressive starts, while Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be the backbone of the middle order. In the lower order, Richa Ghosh and Bharti Fulmali bolster the batting assault. Meanwhile, all-rounders Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil remain vital to the side. India also sees the return of left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, who makes her comeback after a lengthy injury layoff. England, on the other hand, enter the series after a recent 2-1 T20I victory over New Zealand. 

The series against England was their first appearance in the format since last July. England will miss regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is still recovering from a calf injury. Charlie Dean will lead the side in her absence. England will also be without Danni Wyatt-Hodge for the opening match, but she is expected to return for the remaining games after recently welcoming her daughter.

Head-to-head

Matches - 30

IND-W won - 12

ENG-W won - 18

India squad: 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

England squad: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean (c), Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong