India appear to have most of their bases covered, having won both of their official warm-up matches. However, captain Harmanpreet and coach Muzumdar are well aware that this offers no guarantees.
Harmanpreet Kaur has called this “our best-ever team at a T20 World Cup,” and it’s hard to disagree with the India Women’s captain. Of the 15 players in the squad for the T20 World Cup starting Thursday (October 3), 12 have prior World Cup experience—Harmanpreet herself has participated in all eight editions. Additionally, the entire squad has benefited from strong performances in the Women’s Premier League, which has sharpened their skills through exposure to high-pressure, high-stakes cricket.
In their eight previous T20 World Cup appearances, India have reached the semifinals four times, including a memorable run to the final in 2020, where they were comprehensively defeated by Australia at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia has been India’s main obstacle in this tournament—they ended India’s campaign last year in the semifinals in South Africa—and they’re one of four tough opponents in a challenging Group A this time. Much like their men’s team, Australia Women have a knack for excelling in crucial moments and elevating their game when it matters most. An early win over their nemesis would set India up well for the rest of the competition.
India’s preparations for the tournament were well-planned, but their best-laid plans were disrupted by developments in Bangladesh, the original host nation. A five-match T20I series in May, which India won 5-0, was intended to acclimatize the team to the conditions they would face during the World Cup. However, political unrest in Bangladesh led to the tournament being relocated to the UAE. India will now begin their campaign on Friday against New Zealand in Dubai. Despite not playing much cricket in the UAE recently, India Women are expected to feel at home, especially in Dubai and Sharjah.
India’s lineup looks settled after experimenting with different combinations. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provide a perfect blend of styles at the top of the order—Mandhana’s grace complements Verma’s aggressive approach. Their ability to set the tone will be crucial for the middle order to capitalize on.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s contribution will also be key to India’s success. Despite batting mostly at No. 4, her last 16 T20I innings have produced just one half-century, alongside five single-digit dismissals. However, she has chipped in with a few useful 30s. If she can convert these starts into bigger scores, India will be in a strong position to either put up imposing totals or chase down challenging targets.
Harmanpreet Kaur faces the welcome challenge of having plenty of options at her disposal. Jemimah Rodrigues has solidified her role as a dynamic No. 5, adding significant firepower to the batting lineup. The abundance of all-rounders in the lower order provides even more depth, making it a captain’s dream scenario.
In terms of bowling, Harmanpreet can choose from a strong mix of pace and spin. The spin department looks particularly promising, with Shreyanka Patil back from injury and leg-spinner Asha Sobhana, both playing in their first T20 World Cup. If the UAE pitches favor spin, these two could play crucial roles. However, since the tournament is starting early in the cricket season in the UAE, the amount of turn the spinners will get remains uncertain.
India have not played any competitive cricket since their surprising defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Dambulla at the end of July. That result highlighted that Sri Lanka Women are more than just their dynamic captain and powerful left-hander, Chamari Athapaththu. As one of India’s early opponents in the World Cup – with Pakistan rounding out the five-team group – Sri Lanka will look to rekindle the memories of that tough evening in Dambulla, when they subtly shifted the balance of power in the subcontinent.
India boast a versatile, adaptable, and experienced squad, potentially leaving Harmanpreet spoiled for choice. Many of the players have honed their skills in overseas leagues, gaining the crucial big-match temperament needed for a tournament of this scale. They appear to have all bases covered, starting strong with convincing wins in their recent official warm-up games against West Indies and South Africa. However, both Harmanpreet and coach Amol Muzumdar understand that early success guarantees nothing. The immediate goal is to navigate a competitive group and reach the semifinals—then, it’s all about resetting for the challenges ahead.
