Top 10 Popular Indian Women Cricketers in 2026

Women’s cricket in India has experienced a remarkable transformation over the last decade. What was once a niche interest has now become one of the country’s fastest-growing sports. With historic milestones, increased media visibility, and the massive success of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Indian women cricketers have become national icons.

The year 2026 has been especially memorable — marked by India’s first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup victory, extraordinary individual performances, and the rise of young superstars. Today, fans don’t just follow matches; they passionately connect with the stories, personalities, and journeys of these exceptional athletes.

Here is the Top 10 Popular Indian Women Cricketers in 2026, ranked based on impact, popularity, and influence — both on and off the field.

1. Smriti Mandhana — The Elegant Run Machine

Smriti Mandhana continues to be the biggest superstar in Indian women’s cricket in 2026. Known for her graceful left-handed batting, Mandhana’s ability to dominate both pace and spin makes her a global fan favorite. This year, she has been among the highest run-scorers across formats, guiding India through tough matches with her consistency and calm temperament. Beyond her batting, Mandhana’s leadership presence and strong influence in the WPL add to her growing popularity. Fans admire her humble personality, dedication to the game, and effortless strokeplay, making her the face of women’s cricket in India.

Why Smriti Mandhana is so popular in 2026:

One of the top run-scorers in international cricket.
Consistent match-winner in both ODIs and T20Is.
Senior leader in the WPL with massive fan support.
Stylish, composed, and admired for her humble personality.

She continues to be the face of women’s cricket in India, symbolising class, elegance, and consistency.

2. Harmanpreet Kaur — The Fearless Captain

Harmanpreet Kaur’s status as a legendary figure has only strengthened in 2026. As India’s captain, she led the team to its first Women’s World Cup victory—an achievement that transformed the course of women’s cricket in the country. Known for her power-hitting, aggressive leadership, and unmatched passion, Harmanpreet inspires both teammates and fans. Her ability to perform under pressure and deliver iconic match-winning knocks keeps her among the most followed athletes in India. Harmanpreet’s fearless style resonates deeply with fans, making her one of the most influential sports personalities of the year.

Key reasons for her immense popularity:

Famous for her aggressive batting and fearless attitude.
One of the most impactful captains India has ever had.
Known for her ability to step up in pressure situations.

Her leadership style, passion, and fire on the field make her an icon for young cricketers across the country.

3. Shreyanka Patil — The WPL Breakout Star

Shreyanka Patil has rapidly become one of the most popular young talents in 2026. Her energetic personality, confident presence, and standout performances in the WPL have made her a rising superstar. Patil’s bowling spells often shift the momentum of matches, and her sharp fielding adds even more value to her teams. Off the field, her relatable charm and growing social media presence connect her to younger fans. She represents the new, bold generation of Indian women’s cricket fearless, expressive, and ready to redefine the game with her fiery attitude and impressive skills.

What makes Shreyanka a rising sensation:

A fast-growing fanbase on social media.
Consistent match-winning performances in the WPL.
Charismatic personality and a fearless approach.

She represents the bold new generation of Indian cricket — dynamic, expressive, and unapologetically confident.

4. Jemimah Rodrigues — The Graceful Match-Winner

Jemimah Rodrigues remains one of the most loved cricketers in India due to her elegance, positivity, and stylish batting. In 2026, she has delivered multiple crucial knocks in both international cricket and the WPL, often rescuing India in high-pressure situations. Jemimah blends classical technique with modern aggression, making her a versatile middle-order batter. Her cheerful personality, engagement with fans, and musical talents further enhance her popularity. She is admired not only for her cricketing skill but also for her humility, grace, and never-give-up attitude that inspires young players nationwide.

Why Jemimah stands out:

Combines finesse with controlled aggression.
Maintains a strong presence on and off the field.
Known for her ability to rescue India in tense matches.

Her charm, skill, and positivity add a unique dimension to India’s batting lineup.

5. Harleen Deol — The Fielding Superstar

Harleen Deol has carved a unique identity as one of India’s best fielders, producing stunning catches that frequently go viral. In 2026, her athleticism, reflexes, and energy have helped India in many tight matches. Along with her fielding, Harleen has shown consistency with the bat, providing stability in the middle order. Fans admire her for her fighting spirit, disciplined fitness routine, and ability to lift team morale. She represents the new athletic dimension of women’s cricket, showing how top-tier fielding can change the course of a match and win hearts across the globe.

Her popularity comes from:

Viral fielding moments that showcase her athletic prowess.
Important contributions with the bat.
A strong and disciplined work ethic.

Harleen symbolizes the modern era of cricket where athleticism and fitness define a player’s value.

6. Shafali Verma — The Explosive Opener

Shafali Verma remains one of the most exciting cricketers to watch in 2026. Her fearless, attacking approach at the top of the order often puts India in commanding positions early in the innings. Known for her six-hitting ability and bold strokeplay, Shafali’s style appeals strongly to modern fans who love fast-paced cricket. With experience as a World Cup–winning U19 captain, she brings maturity alongside aggression. Her performances in the WPL and international cricket have made her a global star, symbolizing the fearless, entertaining brand of cricket India is now known for.

Why fans love Shafali Verma:

Explosive strokeplay in the powerplay.
Confident and aggressive batting style.
Former U19 World Cup-winning captain.

Her bold cricketing approach makes her one of the most exciting women cricketers in India.

7. Deepti Sharma — The All-Round Match-Winner

Deepti Sharma continues to be one of India’s most dependable performers in 2026. As a top-ranked bowler and a reliable middle-order batter, she contributes in every department. Deepti’s tactical intelligence stands out—whether she is breaking partnerships with tight bowling or scoring clutch runs under pressure. Her consistent contributions were crucial in India’s World Cup triumph, earning her immense respect from fans and experts alike. She is admired for her calm temperament, hard work, and ability to keep performing at the highest level year after year, making her a vital pillar of the Indian team.

Her major strengths include:

Top-ranked T20I bowler in 2026.
Key contributor in India’s World Cup success.
Smart, controlled, and consistent performances.

Deepti’s all-round skill set makes her indispensable in India’s playing XI.

8. Richa Ghosh — The Power-Hitting Finisher

Richa Ghosh has earned a massive following in 2026 for her powerful finishing ability and composed wicketkeeping. Known for her big hitting in the death overs, she often changes the course of games with fearless counterattacks. Her confidence under pressure and maturity at such a young age make her one of the brightest future stars in Indian cricket. Richa’s performances in close chases and WPL thrillers have greatly contributed to her rising stardom. Fans appreciate her aggressive style, bold mindset, and reliability in crunch situations, making her one of the most impactful players of the year.

Why Richa is growing in popularity:

Ability to finish matches with fast scoring.
Confidence in pressure situations.
Promising young talent with a bright future.

She represents the fearless new breed of Indian batters ready to dominate world cricket.

9. Radha Yadav — The Dependable Spinner

Radha Yadav continues to be one of India’s most trusted spinners in 2026. Her accuracy, clever variations, and calmness make her a go-to option in tight situations. Radha’s ability to break partnerships and build pressure has been crucial to India’s success in tournaments and the WPL. She doesn’t rely on extravagance but on smart thinking and disciplined execution. Fans admire her subtle yet impactful style, which showcases the importance of intelligent spin bowling. Radha’s growth reflects India’s strength in producing world-class spinners, and she remains a respected figure in the cricketing community.

What fans appreciate about her:

Accurate and intelligent spin bowling.
Composure in high-pressure overs.
Dependability during middle overs.

Radha’s tactical bowling style makes her a vital part of India’s bowling attack.

10. Renuka Singh — The Fast Bowling Force

Renuka Singh stands out as one of India’s leading pace bowlers in 2026, known for her swing, accuracy, and ability to take early wickets. She brings a refreshing pace-bowling energy to a team traditionally known for spin. Renuka’s strong performances in international cricket and the WPL have earned her a loyal fanbase. Her determination, athleticism, and knack for striking in the powerplay make her a crucial asset for India. Fans appreciate her hardworking attitude, composed personality, and rising consistency, which have helped her secure a place among India’s most celebrated cricketers this year.

Her strengths include:

Consistent early breakthroughs.
Strong WPL and international performances.
Grit, discipline, and determination.

Renuka’s rise highlights the growing pace-bowling talent in Indian women’s cricket.

Conclusion

The year 2026 marks a historic turning point for Indian women’s cricket. These top 10 most popular Indian women cricketers have not only excelled on the field but have also become symbols of empowerment, resilience, and inspiration.

From Smriti Mandhana’s elegance to Harmanpreet Kaur’s fearless leadership, from Shreyanka Patil’s rising stardom to Shafali Verma’s explosive batting, each of these athletes contributes to the evolving narrative of Indian women’s cricket.

As they break records and barriers, they continue inspiring millions of young girls across the nation — proving that Indian women’s cricket is stronger, more exciting, and more influential than ever before.