India open their defence of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup against West Indies in Kathmandu on 22 January 2027, the ICC has confirmed. Bangladesh and Nepal co-host the 16-team event from 21 January to 6 February, with the final in Chattogram.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The two-time champions begin in Group A, alongside West Indies, Ireland and co-hosts Nepal, in a tournament that runs for 17 days and 41 matches. India and Pakistan sit in separate groups, with Pakistan drawn in Group B.
India’s group schedule
All three of India’s group matches are at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu. They play West Indies on 22 January at 1:15 pm IST, then Nepal on 24 January at 9:15 am IST, and Ireland on 26 January at 1:15 pm IST. The group stage ends on 26 January.
India won the inaugural edition in 2023, beating England in the final, and retained the title in 2025 with a nine-wicket win over South Africa. Victory in 2027 would be a third successive title.
How the format works
Sixteen teams are split into four groups of four. Group B holds South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa, Group C has Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and the UAE, and Group D has England, Sri Lanka, the USA and Scotland.
The top three from each group move into the Super Six, played in two groups, and the top two from each of those groups reach the semi-finals. Both semi-finals are on 4 February at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, with 5 February as the reserve day.
Venues and the final
The event uses grounds in Chattogram and Sylhet in Bangladesh, and in Kathmandu, Nepal. The final is on 6 February in Chattogram, starting at 1:30 pm local time, with 7 February held in reserve. Morning matches begin at 9:30 am local time and afternoon matches at 1:30 pm.
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta described the tournament as a platform for young players to make the step towards elite careers, and said the hosts were chosen because of their passion for the game and their young populations.
What comes next
India’s Super Six opponents will depend on where they finish in Group A. A win over West Indies at the Kathmandu ground on 22 January would start the defence of a title India have won in both previous editions.
