India’s women have come close to World Cup glory on several occasions but haven’t been able to cross the line.
As the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, India finds itself on the brink of what could be a historic campaign. With a strong squad, guided by experienced leadership, the team is looking to turn years of near misses into a maiden World Cup triumph. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team are keen to build on the momentum generated by India’s men’s team, who recently won the T20 World Cup, and give fans another reason to celebrate.
India’s women have come close to World Cup glory on several occasions, most notably as runners-up in the 2020 edition, when they lost to Australia in the final. The team has also had near misses in the 2017 ODI World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Their recent performances have been a mixed bag, including a narrow semi-final exit to Australia in the last T20 World Cup and a surprising defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. However, Harmanpreet has emphasized that the team has worked hard to address the mistakes of the past and is approaching this tournament with a renewed sense of confidence.
India’s women have come close to World Cup glory on several occasions // Picture Courtesy — Firstpost
India’s squad for the 2024 World Cup consists of a familiar set of players who have already demonstrated their potential on the international stage. Harmanpreet Kaur continues to lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana serving as the vice-captain. The batting unit is bolstered by the presence of Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and the reliable Deepti Sharma, providing a solid backbone for India’s batting lineup.
In the bowling department, Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar will spearhead the fast-bowling unit, with the spinning trio of Deepti, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil expected to play crucial roles. The squad’s strength lies in its balance, with capable all-rounders like Deepti and Vastrakar, offering India flexibility in both batting and bowling.
India is set to begin their campaign on October 4 against New Zealand, followed by key group-stage clashes with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and reigning champions Australia. These matches will be pivotal in determining India’s journey to the knockout stages. The game against Australia, scheduled for October 13, will be a major test, considering the Australians’ dominance in past World Cups.
Harmanpreet has acknowledged that no team can be underestimated, as each team prepares differently for World Cups. However, she remains optimistic that India can rise to the occasion, especially with the lessons learned from previous tournaments.
India is set to begin their T20 WC campaign on October 4 // Picture Courtesy — Royal Challengers Bengaluru
India’s preparation for the World Cup has been rigorous. The team has held numerous camps, focusing on both fitness and game strategies. Harmanpreet has stressed the importance of maintaining the right body language in high-pressure matches, a factor she believes played a key role in India’s men’s team winning the title earlier this year. This approach will be essential as India faces the weight of expectations from fans and the pressure of performing on the world stage.
With a positive mindset and a team eager to capitalize on their potential, India is well-placed to make a deep run in the tournament.
India’s quest for their first Women’s T20 World Cup title will not be easy, but they have a squad capable of delivering strong performances. With experienced leadership, a balanced team, and thorough preparation, India stands a strong chance of going all the way in the UAE this October. The team’s focus on past lessons and a positive outlook could finally bring them the success they’ve been chasing on the world stage.
