Five Players From the Inaugural Women's T20 World Cup Playing in 2026

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to commence from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales. The inaugural World Cup was held in 2009, and this year marks the 10th edition of the tournament. New Zealand won the 2024 edition of the World Cup by defeating South Africa in the final in Dubai.

A total of 12 teams will feature in the tournament in the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup. The 12 teams are divided into two Groups consisting of six members.

Group A comprises Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and South Africa, while Group B features England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.

Five players from the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup playing in 2026

Let’s dive into this story and find out about the five-star cricketers from the 2026 T20I World Cup, who also featured in the inaugural season.

1. Harmanpreet Kaur – India

India’s current skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, is the only player from the 2026 squad who featured in the inaugural season of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Kaur got the chance to play only in four matches, and she managed to score only 8 runs in 2 innings.

Kaur has scored a total of 726 runs in 39 matches so far in the Women’s T20 World Cup. She scored at an average of 25.03 and a strike rate of 112.21, laced with a century and four half-centuries.

2. Ellyse Perry – Australia

Australia’s star all-rounder, Ellyse Perry, was also part of the inaugural season of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Perry got an opportunity to play in five matches, while she batted only in one match and was unbeaten at 4.

Perry has amassed 503 runs in 47 Women’s World Cup matches at an average of 27.94 and a strike rate of 113.80, while she has claimed 40 wickets at an average of 17.67 and an economy rate of 5.79.

3. Sophie Devine – New Zealand

New Zealand’s legendary all-rounder Sophie Devine is also part of the list, who has played the inaugural season of the Women’s World Cup. She featured in three matches and scored 24 runs at a strike rate of 171.42, and picked up two wickets

Sophie Devine, who will retire from International cricket after the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup 2026, has scored 785 runs in 38 matches at an average of 26.16 and a strike rate of 111.82. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old also picked 29 wickets at an average of 17.10 and an economy of 6.17.

4. Chamari Athapaththu – Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s current captain Chamari Athapaththu, is another star cricketer in the list. In the inaugural season of the Women’s World Cup, Athapaththu played in only one match and scored 16 runs off 23 balls, while she didn’t get an opportunity to bowl.

Athapaththu has accumulated 711 runs in 32 Women’s T20I World Cup matches at an average of 22.21 and a strike rate of 102.15, which features three fifties. Meanwhile, the 36-year-old has picked 13 wickets at an average of 25.69 and an economy of 6.657.

5. Marizanne Kapp – South Africa

South Africa’s star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was also part of the inaugural season of the Women’s T20I World Cup in 2009. She featured in only one match and scored an unbeaten 18 off 22 balls.

Kapp has played a total of 32 World Cup matches and scored 453 runs at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 99.56. Meanwhile, with the ball she has picked 31 wickets at an average of 17.80 and an economy of 5.13.