The Women’s U23 One Day Trophy represents India’s most crucial domestic platform for emerging cricketers aiming to break into the senior national setup.
Every March, this tournament brings together the country’s finest young talent, with 36 teams battling across multiple venues for supremacy in the 50-over format.
This year’s edition promises intense competition as states field their strongest squads, knowing that performances here often translate directly into national selection opportunities.
The tournament doesn’t just crown champions—it builds careers.
Women’s U23 One Day Trophy 2026 – Schedule
What Makes This Tournament Special
The BCCI launched the Women’s U23 One Day Trophy to create a structured pathway between age-group cricket and the senior domestic circuit.
Players get exposure to high-pressure situations, quality opposition, and professional match conditions that mirror international standards.
Starting with the 2025-26 season, the BCCI restructured the competition into Elite and Plate divisions.
This change ensures competitive balance while giving emerging cricket regions room to develop.
The Elite division features traditional powerhouses with established infrastructure, while the Plate group provides valuable competitive experience for developing states.
The tournament typically runs for three weeks each March, with matches following the standard 50-over format.
Teams earn four points for a win, two for a tie or no result, and nothing for a loss.
The points table determines knockout qualification, with Net Run Rate serving as the tiebreaker when needed.
Full Schedule Breakdown for 2026
Group Stage Fixtures
The Elite groups (A through F) compete in five intense rounds of league matches. All games start at 9:00 AM IST to maximize playing conditions and avoid afternoon heat.
Round 1 – March 3, 2026:
| Match | Venue |
|---|---|
| Assam vs Himachal Pradesh | Gurugram Cricket Ground (SRNCC), Sultanpur |
| Pondicherry vs Punjab | Chaudhry Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium, Lahli |
| Kerala vs Uttarakhand | Veerangan Cricket Academy Ground, Pune |
| Haryana vs Jharkhand | CAP Ground 3, Puducherry |
| Mumbai vs Rajasthan | Sehwag International School, Jhajjar |
| Tamil Nadu vs Tripura | CAP Ground 2, Puducherry |
| Chhattisgarh vs Madhya Pradesh | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
Round 2 – March 5, 2026:
Key matches include Bihar vs Chhattisgarh at RCA Academy Ground in Jaipur, Baroda vs Karnataka at Jaipuria Vidhyalaya Ground, and the crucial Himachal Pradesh vs Mumbai clash at Lahli. This round spreads across Jaipur, Dehradun, and Puducherry venues.
Round 3 – March 7, 2026:
Mumbai faces Assam at Sehwag International School in what could be a group-defining contest. Karnataka takes on Madhya Pradesh in Jaipur, while Jharkhand battles Tamil Nadu in Puducherry. These mid-tournament fixtures often separate contenders from pretenders.
Round 4 – March 9, 2026:
Bengal meets Hyderabad at Dehradun’s Ayush Cricket Academy Ground, while Uttar Pradesh faces defending champions Mumbai at Lahli. With knockout qualification on the line, expect teams to adopt aggressive approaches.
Round 5 – March 11-12, 2026:
The final group stage round determines knockout qualifiers across all six groups. Matches spread across Nagpur, Chandigarh, and Trivandrum, giving different regions hosting opportunities.
Women’s U23 One Day Trophy 2026 Schedule Venue Details
The knockout stage centralizes at Ranchi’s premier cricket facilities, ensuring consistent playing conditions for crucial matches.
| Stage | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Quarter Final 1 | March 14, 2026 | JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi |
| Pre-Quarter Final 2 | March 15, 2026 | JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi |
| Quarter Finals (4 matches) | March 17-18, 2026 | JSCA Stadium & JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi |
| Semi Finals (2 matches) | March 20, 2026 | JSCA Stadium & JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi |
| Elite Final | March 22, 2026 | JSCA Stadium, Ranchi |
| Plate Final | March 13, 2026 | TBD |
Team Composition and Group Structure
Thirty-six teams compete across six Elite groups. Each group contains six teams representing different states and regions. The BCCI bases group allocation on previous season performance and geographical considerations.
Elite Group A: Haryana, Saurashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Kerala, Meghalaya
Elite Group B: Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Jharkhand, J&K, Mizoram
Elite Group C: Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Nagaland
Elite Group D: Uttarakhand, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh
Elite Group E: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Chandigarh, Sikkim, Bihar
Elite Group F: Andhra, Mumbai, Baroda, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Railways
Each team plays five group matches. The top two from each group advance to the knockout phase, creating a field of twelve for the pre-quarter finals and beyond.
How to Follow India One Day Trophy U23 Women Live Score
The Women’s U23 One Day Trophy 2026 live coverage comes through multiple digital channels since television broadcast isn’t currently available.
- Official BCCI Platform: The BCCI website (bcci.tv) provides ball-by-ball updates for all matches. This remains the most reliable source for real-time scores and match situations.
- Mobile Apps: Cricket scoring apps update Women’s U23 One Day Trophy 2026 scorecard data regularly. Fans can set notifications for specific teams or matches.
- Social Media: The BCCI shares highlights and key moments through Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. State associations often post updates about their teams’ performances.
- Streaming Options: JioHotstar serves as BCCI’s digital partner and may stream selected knockout matches, though this hasn’t been confirmed for the 2026 edition.
Tactical Perspective: What Shapes Success Here
The U23 tournament exposes players to match pressure that junior cricket rarely provides.
Consider Mumbai’s 2024-25 campaign—they didn’t just win matches; they consistently defended totals under 220 by maintaining disciplined lines and using field placements intelligently.
That’s championship cricket.
Captains face real decision-making pressure.
Should you chase or defend on a wearing surface? When do you promote a lower-order hitter? These situations don’t exist in practice matches.
The tournament forces tactical maturity that selectors notice when picking senior squads.
Pitch behavior varies significantly across venues.
Puducherry’s CAP Grounds typically offer true bounce early before slowing down.
Jaipur’s tracks can grip from day one. Teams that adapt quickly gain advantages their opponents can’t match through talent alone.
Recent Championship Results
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Final Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Mumbai | Madhya Pradesh | 113 runs |
| 2023-24 | Haryana | Uttar Pradesh | 62 runs |
Mumbai’s dominant 113-run victory in the 2024-25 final demonstrated the gap between well-prepared teams and those relying purely on individual brilliance. Their bowlers exploited Guwahati conditions perfectly while their batting lineup showed depth that pressure couldn’t crack.
Understanding Tournament Qualification Rules
- Eligibility: Players must be under 23 years old on the tournament’s cut-off date. State associations conduct trials and selection camps to finalize squads.
- Points System: Four points for a win, two for ties or washed-out matches, zero for losses. If teams finish level on points, the number of wins decides ranking. If that’s tied, Net Run Rate determines position.
- Knockout Format: Twelve teams qualify—two from each of six groups. Teams ranked 7th through 10th play pre-quarter finals. The top six get direct quarter-final entries, with teams 1-6 facing winners from the pre-quarter finals.
- Promotion System: From 2025-26 onwards, one team moves between Elite and Plate divisions annually based on performance, maintaining competitive balance across both tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I watch Women’s U23 One Day Trophy 2026 schedule India matches?
The BCCI website provides live scores and updates for all matches. JioHotstar may stream selected knockout games, though full broadcast schedules haven’t been confirmed yet.
- Which teams are favorites for the 2026 edition?
Mumbai enters as defending champions with strong squad depth. Haryana, Karnataka, and Bengal typically field competitive units. However, the tournament’s history shows that form on the day matters more than reputation.
- How many matches does each team play?
Every team plays five group-stage matches against others in their group. Teams qualifying for knockouts play additional matches based on how far they advance.
- What’s the difference between Elite and Plate divisions?
The Elite division features established cricket states with better infrastructure and playing standards. The Plate division gives emerging regions competitive opportunities while developing their cricket ecosystems.
- Can fans attend matches in person?
Yes, most venues allow free entry for spectators. However, crowd sizes vary significantly between group stage matches at smaller venues and knockout games at major stadiums.
Why This Tournament Matters for Indian Cricket
The Women’s U23 One Day Trophy doesn’t just produce statistics—it shapes careers. Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh all honed their skills in domestic tournaments like this before becoming household names.
The 2026 edition will run from March 3rd through March 22nd, giving selectors a clear view of emerging talent before important international assignments.
With India’s senior team schedule becoming increasingly packed, the talent pipeline this tournament provides has never been more critical.
Teams that succeed here understand cricket goes beyond individual talent.
They build partnerships under pressure, adapt tactics to conditions, and develop mental toughness that international cricket demands.
That’s what separates tournament winners from early exits—and it’s exactly what Indian cricket needs from its next generation.
