351. India at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026: What Worked, What Didn't, What's Next

India entered the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 carrying the weight of expectation. Fresh off their historic ODI World Cup triumph, Harmanpreet Kaur's side arrived in England with genuine title ambitions, exciting young talent, and the belief that this could finally be their year in the shortest format. Instead, their campaign ended in disappointment, raising as many questions as it answered.In Episode 351 of Never on the Backfoot, we take a deep dive into India's World Cup journey, from the squad selection and key omissions to the tactical decisions that shaped the tournament. We analyse the defining moments, the standout performers, the biggest disappointments, and whether India's much-talked-about "fearless" T20 philosophy translated into results when it mattered most.We also explore the bigger picture: Has the WPL truly transformed India's T20 approach? Are the selectors picking players for defined T20 roles or relying too heavily on experience? Is India's batting identity keeping pace with the evolving demands of the format? And what lessons must the team take forward after another campaign that fell short of expectations?Finally, with the Asian Games squad already announced, we discuss what lies ahead for Indian women's cricket. Should this be the beginning of a transition towards the next generation, or does continuity remain the right path?