The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is all set to get underway today, marking the beginning of one of the most anticipated events in the women’s cricket calendar. Hosts England will kick off the tournament against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, with fans eagerly waiting to witness top teams and star players battle for global supremacy. Packed stadiums, competitive groups, and several title contenders have created enormous buzz, making this edition one of the most exciting in the tournament’s history.

Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain identify their favourites for the title

With the countdown to the opening match almost over, predictions from cricket experts have started pouring in. Former England captains and renowned broadcasters Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain have also revealed the teams they believe are best placed to lift the coveted trophy.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Atherton suggested that the race for the title is likely to be dominated by a handful of established powerhouses.

“It’s hard to look beyond Australia, India and South Africa… albeit only two of them can progress from Group A,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.

His comments underline the fierce competition expected in Group A, where multiple title contenders could be forced into an early battle for knockout qualification.

Hussain, meanwhile, placed Australia at the top of his list despite acknowledging that the defending giants are entering a new era under captain Sophie Molineux.

“Ever since I’ve been covering women’s cricket, they’ve been the best side – and arguably one of the world’s great sporting teams. They’ve got a new captain in Sophie Molineux, so she’ll be under a little bit of pressure, but they’re still a very, very strong side. They’ve missed out at the last two world events, so they’ll be very keen to put that right,” Hussain explained.

Australia’s rich history in ICC tournaments, combined with their depth and experience, makes them one of the leading favourites despite recent disappointments on the global stage.

Also READ: Nasser Hussain predicts leading run-scorer and highest wicket-taker of Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Star players set to light up the tournament

The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises to showcase some of the finest talent in the game. India’s Smriti Mandhana is expected to spearhead her side’s batting alongside the explosive Shafali Verma, while South Africa will rely heavily on captain Laura Wolvaardt to provide stability and class at the top of the order.

The West Indies’ dynamic all-rounder Hayley Matthews remains one of the biggest match-winners in world cricket, and New Zealand veterans Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine will be hoping to make their final global tournament a memorable one.

Among the emerging stars, England teenager Tilly Corteen-Coleman, rising Indian pacer Nandani Sharma, Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, and New Zealand left-arm quick Bree Illing could all make a significant impact.

Also READ: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: TV Channels, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Australia, USA, UK & other countries

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.