India Women In Good Shape For T20 World Cup, Says Smriti Mandhana

India women’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on Tuesday said the team is in good shape ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, even as she avoided sharing specific details of the preparations during the ongoing training camp.

Speaking at a press conference organised by feminine care brand Pee Safe in Mumbai, Smriti Mandhana said the camp at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru had gone well and the players were focused on maintaining consistency ahead of the global tournament, especially after the India women's national cricket team suffered a few recent defeats in T20 matches.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England and Wales from June 12 , featuring 12 teams. India are placed in a high-profile opening clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14, a fixture expected to draw significant attention.

Mandhana said, “The camp has gone well and I would like to keep it at that. I would not like to say any specifics because we are heading into a World Cup. But all the girls are looking in good shape, they have been practising really well and a lot of hard work has gone behind it.”

The 15-member Indian squad is scheduled to depart for England on May 22 , where they will play a three-match T20I series against the hosts as part of their final preparation before the World Cup. Mandhana said the series will be important in adjusting to English conditions and building match readiness.

“We are preparing for the World Cup and will leave for a series before it. The preparations have been going well and I hope we keep working hard and make India proud and bring the cup back home,” she added.

Apart from cricket, Mandhana also interacted with school children at the event and spoke about the importance of sports as a career option. She said young students today are increasingly curious about athletes’ lives and the demands of professional sport.

She emphasised the need for children to understand that sports offer real career opportunities , encouraging them to explore cricket and other disciplines seriously.

Mandhana further advised students to enjoy the process , stay passionate, and remain consistent in their chosen fields, adding that discipline and happiness in what they do are key to long-term success.