The Indian women’s cricket team began the New Year 2026 on a serene and spiritual note with a visit to the revered Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The visit came shortly after their historic triumph in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, marking a moment of gratitude and reflection for the champions.

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Several members of the World Cup-winning squad attended the sacred Bhasm Aarti, one of the most revered rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva. The early-morning ceremony is known for its deep spiritual significance and attracts devotees from across the country.

Women in Blue seek blessings after historic World Cup triumph

Star batter Smriti Mandhana, along with teammates Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy, were seen offering prayers inside the temple premises. The players sought blessings for good health, continued success and another memorable year in international cricket as they prepare for major challenges ahead.

A video shared on social media captured the Indian players seated calmly inside the temple, immersed in prayer. As per tradition, the team also received blessings from the temple priest. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, holds immense religious importance, while the Bhasm Aarti, performed in the early hours of the morning—remains one of its most distinctive rituals.

On January 1, 2026, the temple witnessed a large gathering of devotees seeking peace, prosperity and blessings. The visit capped off a remarkable period for the Indian women’s team, who ended 2025 with a dominant 5–0 T20I series whitewash against Sri Lanka. The final match, played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, saw India seal a 15-run victory.

The year 2025 will be remembered as a landmark chapter in Indian women’s cricket. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, India clinched their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final on home soil. Since that triumph, the team has maintained its momentum, registering bilateral series victories against West Indies, England and Sri Lanka.

Eyes on T20 World Cup 2026

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled later this year, expectations from the Women in Blue are understandably high. After an early exit in the 2024 edition, India have shown significant growth across formats and now enter the tournament as strong contenders.

The T20 World Cup will begin on June 12, 2026, with England taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match. India have been drawn in Group A alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and two qualifying teams. Ahead of the global event, India will face Australia in February and England in May—two crucial series that will serve as vital preparation for the World Cup campaign.