India entered the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 with a familiar target: winning the trophy. Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has what it takes to go all the way and has backed India to lift the title in Dubai.
The tournament begins on August 28, with eight teams competing for the continental crown. India, the most successful team in the competition, will begin their campaign against Thailand on August 30 before facing Hong Kong and Pakistan in the group stage.
Anjum Chopra backs India for the Asia Cup title
Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Chopra made her prediction clear. She believes India will win the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup and feels the team would have to produce a very poor performance to give their opponents a real chance.
Chopra said India would have to play “very bad cricket” on a particular day to lose. Her confidence comes from the quality and experience within the squad, as well as the belief created by India’s success in the 50-over format.
India won the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, a result that Chopra feels has given the players plenty of confidence. The T20 World Cup did not go according to plan, but she does not believe that campaign should overshadow what this group has achieved in the 50-over game.
At the same time, Chopra has not written off the other contenders. She specifically pointed towards Pakistan and Sri Lanka and stressed that neither side can be taken lightly. Sri Lanka deserves particular respect after beating India in the 2024 final to win their first Women’s Asia Cup title.
India have a strong squad despite Jemimah’s absence
India will not have their full-strength squad in Dubai. Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a high-grade right hamstring tear while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred.
The BCCI named Pratika Rawal as her replacement. The updated squad still has plenty of experience, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Thakur and Radha Yadav joining captain Harmanpreet. That depth is one reason Chopra remains so confident about India’s chances.
Mandhana will be one of the key players at the top of the order, while Deepti Sharma gives India an experienced all-round option. The bowling group also has several players capable of making an impact in the UAE conditions.
Pratika Rawal’s inclusion gives the side another batting option, although replacing a player of Jemimah’s experience will not be straightforward.
Harmanpreet Kaur continues to have Chopra’s backing
Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership has attracted discussion after India’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. Still, Chopra has backed her to remain the right person to lead the team.
That support matters because India are entering a tournament where expectations will be high from the first game.
Harmanpreet has already led India through several major tournaments and remains one of the most experienced players in the squad. The BCCI also continues to trust her leadership, with the veteran named captain for India’s 2026 Asian Games campaign as well.
The captain will therefore have a big role to play, both with the bat and in managing a squad that includes experienced stars and younger players.
India have unfinished business in the Asia Cup
India’s motivation is not only about adding another trophy to their record. They will also want to put the disappointment of the previous edition behind them.
Sri Lanka beat India in the 2024 final by eight wickets, ending India’s long dominance of the competition. India remains the most successful side in Women’s Asia Cup history, but Sri Lanka showed two years ago that the gap between the leading teams can disappear on the big day. The 2026 tournament allows India to take the trophy back.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka could test India
India’s biggest group-stage match will come against Pakistan on September 5. The rivalry always brings added attention, although Harmanpreet has recently said she does not want her players to become distracted by the pressure surrounding the fixture.
Pakistan remains one of the teams capable of making India’s campaign uncomfortable, while Sri Lanka could once again be a serious threat in the knockout stages.
The format leaves little room for a bad day once the semi-finals arrive. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the final scheduled for September 13 in Dubai.
For now, Anjum Chopra’s choice is clear. She expects India to reclaim the Women’s Asia Cup, but even she has acknowledged that Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the other teams cannot simply be brushed aside.
India may start as favourites, but they will still have to prove Chopra right when the important matches arrive.
