Birmingham: India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has called for greater attention on the entire Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 rather than limiting discussions to the highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter. Her remarks come ahead of the tournament opener between the two arch-rivals at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 14.
Mandhana acknowledged the immense popularity of the fixture but stressed that the global event deserves broader recognition and promotion.
Mandhana says tournament deserves wider spotlight
Speaking after India’s third T20I against England, Mandhana reflected on her experience of playing Pakistan at the same venue during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
She noted that the match attracted a packed crowd and expects similar enthusiasm when the teams meet again during the World Cup.
However, the left-handed batter believes the focus should not be restricted to a single game.
According to Mandhana, the India-Pakistan rivalry already generates enough excitement on its own, and organisers, broadcasters and fans should also promote the broader tournament, which showcases the growth and competitiveness of women’s cricket globally.
India-Pakistan clash expected to draw huge crowd
The Group A match between India and Pakistan remains one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament.
Cricket’s most celebrated rivalry consistently attracts large television audiences and packed stadiums, regardless of the format. The Women’s T20 World Cup encounter is expected to continue that trend, with strong fan interest from both countries and cricket followers worldwide.
Mandhana expressed confidence that spectators would turn up in large numbers and hoped both teams would deliver an entertaining contest.
India’s preparations have produced mixed results
India enters the tournament with mixed form in the shortest format.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team recently lost a three-match T20I series against England 2-1 after winning the opening match. The defeat followed another challenging series against South Africa, where India suffered a 4-1 loss.
Despite those setbacks, the team has recorded notable achievements over the past year. India secured a historic T20I series victory in Australia earlier this year and also registered a dominant 5-0 clean sweep against Sri Lanka in December.
These performances indicate the squad’s potential despite recent inconsistency.
Quest for first Women’s T20 World Cup title
India will head into the tournament aiming to win its maiden Women’s T20 World Cup crown.
The team has come close on several occasions, including reaching the final in 2020, but has yet to lift the trophy. Expectations remain high given the experience within the squad and the emergence of several young talents in recent years.
With players such as Mandhana, Harmanpreet, and a strong supporting cast, India hopes to convert its promise into a historic title-winning campaign.
As the countdown to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues, Mandhana’s message is clear: while the India-Pakistan rivalry will always command attention, the tournament itself deserves to be celebrated as a showcase of the rapid rise of women’s cricket around the world.