Mumbai: Fresh off their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup victory in 2025, the Indian team is not complacent. The batsman Jemima Rodriguez says the team is “hungrier than ever” to add the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England to its growing legacy.“By winning one, we only want to win two,” Rodriguez said at a function here on Sunday. “Usually, after the World Cup, teams can be complacent. But this team is different. We are more hungry to win again.”The 25-year-old, one of the key contributors to India’s historic ODI World Cup win, revealed that preparations for the upcoming T20 showpiece (June 12-July 5) had begun long before the squad was announced on Saturday. He said, concentrating.“The first series we played after the World Cup was in Vizag (in December) against Sri Lanka, which we won 5-0. That’s when I told the team that our journey to the next World Cup starts here,” Rodriguez said at the ISM graduation ceremony, attended by the head coach. Amol Mazamdar.India will enhance their preparations with a week-long camp at BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru from May 10. “Preparation has always been a must for this team. We believe in being prepared for every challenge, and we are on the right track,” said Mazamdar. “We will try to have a productive camp before going to the World Cup.”However, the team will be without the services of all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who is out with a serious back injury that requires surgery. Mazamdar admitted that his absence will be felt. “It is difficult to replace someone like Aman Jot, who has been consistently performing. But injuries are part of the game. We hope she will come back strong,” he said.Rodrigues also addressed India’s recent 4-1 defeat in the T20I series in South Africa, ending the learning curve ahead of the World Cup. “Sometimes failures teach you more than winning everything. This gave us a reality check. The team is taking it in the right spirit, working hard, and preparing well. We will come back stronger,” he said.Rodrigues expressed excitement over the inclusion of pacer Nandini Sharma, who earned her first India call-up after an impressive Women’s Premier League season, where she took 17 wickets. “Nandini is ready. She’s been brilliant in the WPL and consistent in every game. When she’s on the big stage, she’s delivered every time. I’m really looking forward to having her in the team,” said Rodriguez.Meanwhile, Mazamdar took confidence from India’s recent success under English conditions. The team registered a historic 2-1 T20I series win in England in July 2025.“The experience is there, the confidence is there. Now we just need to travel well and play well,” Mazumdar said.
