“Being in the group of death will be good for this Indian side,” said former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra about how being in a tough group could be a blessing for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Excitement is on the rise as the much-anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is just 20 days away. The upcoming edition of the tournament is the 9th edition since its inaugural edition in the year 2009.
The tournament was earlier set to be hosted by Bangladesh, however, due to a sudden turn of events leading to unforeseen circumstances in the country, it is now shifted to the United Arab Emirates. It will commence on 3rd October 2024 (Thursday) and conclude on 20th October 2024 (Sunday).
All the matches of the tournament will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A total of 10 teams namely, India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Scotland, West Indies, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These teams are divided into Group A and Group B.
India is placed in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra was of the opinion that Harmanpreet and Co need to be at their absolute best in the competition to qualify for the semi-finals, as India plays tough opponents throughout and the top two teams from the group stage will advance to the knockouts. She also cautioned the Women in Blue not to be complacent in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
“Being in the group of death will be good for this Indian side, for they will be tested right from the start. If they are not at their best (right from the start) they won’t be able to make it to the semifinals,” said former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra about how being in a tough group could be a blessing for the Women in Blue.
The Indian team led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was last involved in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, hosted by Sri Lanka, held in July, earlier this year. India was a dominant side throughout the tournament finishing at the top of the table with 6 points with an unbeaten run in the league stages. They defeated Bangladesh led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty by 10 wickets in the 1st Semi-Final. However, they ended up on the losing side against the host Sri Lanka in the final, courtesy of an 8-wicket defeat. The Chamari Athapaththu-led side clinched their maiden ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup title.
“India played the same cricket as it was playing in the entire tournament, but Sri Lanka kept raising their bar. Sri Lanka’s victory is a statement, and it’s very good for Sri Lankan cricket,” said Anjum Chopra applauding the way Sri Lanka kept improving in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup as the tournament progressed, while also stating the need for India to lift their game especially when it comes to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Over the years, the Indian team has managed to make four semi-final appearances (2009, 2010, 2018, and 2023). Their appearance in the final in the 7th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia was their best, in terms of a World Cup campaign. However, they ended up as the runners-up of the tournament courtesy of a heavy 85-run defeat against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the final.
India will play a couple of warm-up matches against the West Indies on 29th September 2024 and against South Africa on 1st October 2024 before commencing their World Cup campaign against New Zealand led by skipper Sophie Devine on 4th October 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the 4th match of the tournament from 7:30 PM IST.
(Quotes sourced from My Khel)