The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5. This year’s event is the 10th edition of the T20 tournament. New Zealand are the defending champions in the Women’s T20 World Cup. They won the 2024 edition held in the UAE by defeating South Africa in the final in Dubai.

A total of 12 teams are taking part in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The sides have been divided into two groups of six each. Australia, Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa are in Group A, while England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and West Indies have been placed in Group B.

The inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup also took place in England in 2009. In this feature, we take a look at five star players from Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 who also featured in the inaugural competition in 2009.

#1 Harmanpreet Kaur (India)

Current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is the only member of the Indian squad who featured in the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009. She played four matches in the 2009 edition and in two innings scored eight runs. The right-handed batter was dismissed for eight against England in Taunton and was bowled for a golden duck against New Zealand in the first semifinal in Nottingham.

Overall, the 37-year-old has played 39 matches in the Women’s T20 World Cup. In 33 innings, she has scored 726 runs at an average of 25.03 and a strike rate of 112.21, with one century and four half-centuries.

#2 Ellyse Perry (Australia)

Veteran Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry also featured in the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009. She batted only once in the tournament, scoring four not out off three balls against New Zealand in Taunton. With the ball, she claimed two wickets at an average of 41 and an economy rate of 7.45.

Perry has featured in a total of 47 Women’s T20 World Cup games. She has scored 503 runs, averaging 27.94 and a strike rate of 113.80. With the ball, Perry has picked up 40 wickets at an average of 17.67 and an economy rate of 5.79, with a best of 3-12.

#3 Sophie Devine (New Zealand)

Veteran New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine was also part of the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup held in England in 2009. In three matches (two innings), she scored 24 runs at a strike rate of 171.42. She scored 10 off six balls against England at Lord’s in the final and was not out on 14 off eight against India in Nottingham in the first semifinal.

With the ball, Devine picked up two wickets in the 2009 edition, averaging 27 at an economy rate of 4.90. Overall, Devine has featured in 38 matches in the Women’s T20 World Cup and has scored 785 runs at an average of 26.16 and a strike rate of 111.82. With her medium pace, she has claimed 29 wickets at an average of 17.10 and an economy rate of 6.17.

#4 Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu is also among the other star players from Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 who featured in the inaugural edition in 2009. In one innings against India, she scored 16 runs in 23 balls. Athapaththu did not bowl in any of the matches.

Looking at her overall record in the Women’s T20 World Cup, the 36-year-old has played 32 matches and has scored 711 runs at an average of 22.21 and a strike rate of 102.15, with three half-centuries. With the ball, she has picked up 13 wickets, averaging 25.69 at an economy rate of 6.57, with a best of 3-17.

#5 Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

Veteran South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp also featured in the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009. She played one match against Australia in Taunton and conceded 21 runs in two overs without claiming a wicket. With the bat, she scored 18* off 22 balls.

Looking at Kapp’s overall record in the Women’s T20 World Cup, she has played 32 matches and has claimed 31 wickets at an average of 17.80 and an economy rate of 5.13, with a best of 3-16. With the bat, she has scored 453 runs at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 99.56, with a best of 43.

Other big names from Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 who were part of 2009 edition

Suzie Bates (New Zealand): In five matches in 2009, she scored 136 runs at a strike rate of 107.08. Bates claimed two wickets at an economy rate of seven.

Stafanie Taylor (West Indies): In three innings in the 2009 Women’s T20 World Cup, Taylor scored 121 runs, averaging 60.50 at a strike rate of 102.54.

Deandra Dottin (West Indies): In three innings in the 2009 edition, Dottin scored 60 runs at a strike rate of 193.54, with a best of 53.