Indian women’s cricket fans are buzzing with excitement after a stunning leak from team insiders suggests Smriti Mandhana will open alongside 19-year-old prodigy Shweta Sehrawat at the 2026 Women’s ODI World Cup. The potential pairing, described by experts as a “dream combination,” has set social media ablaze with fans already hailing it as India’s best chance to challenge dominant sides like Australia and England.
According to sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), selectors and head coach are in advanced discussions to make Mandhana-Sehrawat the opening duo, banking on their complementary styles to give India explosive starts. Smriti Mandhana, India’s most experienced batter and a global superstar, has long been known for her elegant drives and calmness under pressure. Meanwhile, Shweta Sehrawat, who captained India’s U19 team to glory and impressed with her fearless strokeplay in recent domestic seasons, brings youthful aggression and a modern T20-style mindset to the 50-over format.
A senior member of India’s coaching staff, speaking anonymously, confirmed the discussions: “The team management believes Smriti’s experience alongside Shweta’s attacking instincts can unsettle even the best new-ball bowlers. It’s a pairing that could define India’s World Cup campaign.”
The possible opening partnership has sparked frenzied debates among fans and analysts alike. Hashtags like #SmritiShweta and #DreamOpeningDuo have been trending since the news broke, with many calling it the most exciting batting combination India has seen since the Mithali Raj-Smriti Mandhana era. Some former players, including Anjum Chopra, have publicly endorsed the move, saying it represents the perfect blend of experience and youth to set solid foundations in big matches.
However, critics have raised concerns about whether Shweta, still inexperienced at the senior international level, can handle the immense pressure of a World Cup opener, especially against quality pace attacks. Others point out that a couple of failures at the top could expose India’s middle order too early, a problem that has hurt India in past ICC tournaments.
Despite the mixed reactions, the Mandhana-Sehrawat pairing has already captured the imagination of fans dreaming of India lifting their first Women’s ODI World Cup trophy. If the team management confirms the leaked plans, it could signal India’s boldest strategy yet to end their ICC title drought.
Will India’s new opening duo light up the World Cup — or will the pressure prove too much for the young star? The countdown to 2026 just got a lot more thrilling.