India Eye Third Straight U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

India will launch their bid for a third consecutive ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup championship against the West Indies on January 22. The 2027 tournament, announced by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday, October 21, is scheduled to run from January 21 to February 6 across Bangladesh and Nepal.

A total of 16 nations will compete in 41 matches, distributed among venues in Chattogram, Sylhet, and two stadiums in Kathmandu. India, who secured previous titles in 2023 under Shafali Verma and 2025 under Niki Prasad, are placed in Group A alongside the West Indies, Ireland, and co-hosts Nepal. The opening day on January 21 features four matches: Bangladesh meets the UAE and Australia faces Nigeria in Sylhet, while Sri Lanka takes on Scotland and England plays the USA at the Upper Mulpani International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu. Sixteen teams are set to compete in 41 matches across four venues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Kathmandu (2 stadiums).

The group stages conclude on January 26, sending three teams from each group into the Super Six stage. Those teams will be re-divided into two groups, with the top two finishers from each progressing to the semi-finals on February 4 at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram. A reserve day for the semi-finals is set for February 5, while the final is scheduled for February 6 at 1:30 PM local time, with February 7 as the designated reserve day.

Group B includes South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Samoa, while Group C consists of Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the UAE. Group D rounds out the field with England, Sri Lanka, the USA, and Scotland. Ireland is set to face Nepal on January 22 at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta highlighted the tournament’s importance, stating that it serves as a premier platform for young players to transition into elite international careers. “These future stars representing 16 teams will garner the world’s attention and become relatable role models for many young girls playing the sport, serving inspiration for their continued cricket journeys,” Gupta remarked. He added that selecting Bangladesh and Nepal as hosts reflects the ICC’s commitment to the sport’s growth, noting that with nearly 40% of their populations under 20, both nations serve as ideal locations for a major youth event. They serve as the ideal hosts for one of the world’s biggest youth sporting events,” Gupta said, with deep passion for cricket and nearly 40% of the two countries’ populations below the age of 20. The choice of our hosts – Bangladesh and Nepal – is also reflective of the ICC’s belief and investment in the future of the cricket ecosystem.