India’s Women’s T20 World Cup squad is being hailed as their best-ever, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur is confident in their ability to perform on the grand stage. With 12 out of 15 players in the squad having prior World Cup experience, and all of them recently excelling in the Women’s Premier League, the team enters the tournament with high expectations. However, both Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar recognize that prior success guarantees nothing in the pursuit of India’s first T20 World Cup trophy.
India begins their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 4, and the group stage presents a formidable challenge, featuring four-time champions Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Australia has historically been India’s toughest opponent, knocking them out in multiple editions, including the 2020 final and last year’s semifinal. A win against their long-standing rivals could provide India with the momentum they need to progress.
India’s preparation for the tournament was disrupted when the original hosts, Bangladesh, were forced to withdraw due to political unrest, leading to the tournament being shifted to the UAE. Despite this, India remains confident, having dominated a 5-0 T20I series in Bangladesh earlier this year. Playing in Dubai and Sharjah may also offer the team a sense of familiarity, further strengthening their chances.
India boasts a well-balanced squad, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma forming a dynamic opening partnership. Mandhana’s elegance and Verma’s explosive power offer a perfect mix for setting strong foundations. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership will be crucial, especially with her recent batting performances being inconsistent. If she can translate her starts into bigger scores, India’s batting will be tough to beat.
In addition, the emergence of Jemimah Rodrigues at No. 5 adds depth and firepower to the middle order. India’s bowling attack is also diverse, combining pace and spin, with promising talents like Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana making their World Cup debuts. Their contributions could be pivotal, especially if the UAE pitches favor spin.
India’s journey since their unexpected loss in the Asia Cup final to Sri Lanka in July has taught them valuable lessons. Sri Lanka, led by the dangerous Chamari Athapaththu, will again be a key opponent in the group stage. Alongside Pakistan, these teams will look to upset India’s progress.
Despite the challenges ahead, India’s squad possesses a blend of experience, talent, and big-match temperament, with several players having proven themselves in overseas leagues. Their warm-up victories against West Indies and South Africa suggest they are in good form, but Kaur and Muzumdar are well aware that success in the warm-ups doesn’t guarantee a smooth path forward. To succeed, India must focus on clearing the group stage and then reset for the knockout rounds.
With all bases seemingly covered, this may be India’s best shot at finally bringing home their first Women’s T20 World Cup trophy.
