Harmanpreet Confident About India Chances in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Indian cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed great confidence in her team as they prepare for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. She believes that this squad, with its wealth of experience, is the best they’ve ever had for a T20 World Cup. Out of the 15 members selected, 12 have already participated in previous editions of the tournament. Only Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, and S Sajana are making their debut, having impressed in the Women’s Premier League.
Harmanpreet highlighted the value of having seasoned players who know their roles well. She praised Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh for their ability to consistently deliver strong performances, noting Renuka’s knack for breaking through opposition line-ups. Additionally, Arundhati Reddy’s contribution as both a bowler and a lower-order batter was acknowledged. Though Harmanpreet admitted it’s difficult to compare their bowling with other teams, she emphasized her belief in the abilities and readiness of her squad.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, India played several key T20I series against strong teams like Australia, England, South Africa, and Bangladesh. Despite losses to Australia and England, India secured a 5-0 victory against Bangladesh and managed to draw the series against South Africa. However, a surprising loss in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka kept the team grounded. Harmanpreet stated that the Asia Cup loss was a learning experience, and after careful reflection, the team has been focusing on correcting those mistakes in their preparation.
India’s last major outing before the World Cup was the Asia Cup, followed by training camps and participation in international leagues like The Hundred and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League. Head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed that the team underwent rigorous fitness and fielding camps, followed by a skills-focused camp where the players participated in several competitive practice matches. According to him, despite the limited game time, India is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
Reflecting on their recent tournament performances, the Indian women’s team has come close to glory on several occasions, reaching the T20 World Cup final in 2020 and the semi-finals in 2018 and 2023. They also narrowly missed the gold medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, losing to Australia. To address issues related to handling pressure, the team has been working with sports psychologist Mugdha Bavare. Harmanpreet acknowledged how these sessions have helped the players cope with mental fatigue and improve their overall mindset. She emphasized the importance of team members being open with one another during these discussions, which she believes has fostered stronger communication and mutual support.
On the matter of India’s No. 3 batter, Muzumdar remained tight-lipped, stating that the final decision would only be revealed closer to their opening match. With several players tried in that position over the past few months, including Yastika Bhatia, D Hemalatha, and S Sajana, the choice is still under consideration. However, he expressed confidence in the top six batters, describing them as the best in the country.
The venue change from Bangladesh to the UAE due to political protests posed a slight challenge for India’s preparation. Nonetheless, Muzumdar, who has experience coaching in the UAE during the IPL, believes the team will adapt to the conditions. The pitches in Dubai and Sharjah, known for their bounce and heat, are expected to be similar to those in India. The team’s familiarity with such conditions should work in their favor as they navigate the tournament.
For Harmanpreet, this marks her ninth T20 World Cup. She recalled the excitement of her first tournament back in 2009 and expressed her eagerness to perform with the same passion and energy. Armed with years of experience, she feels better equipped to handle the pressures of World Cup cricket. Her approach remains simple—play with freedom, enjoy the game, and focus less on the outcomes. She is confident that this mindset will allow her and the team to perform at their best.