The Indian Women's National Cricket Team, led by the seasoned Harmanpreet Kaur, has embarked on their journey to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-anticipated ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. With high hopes and a determined mindset, the team aims to end their long wait for a major ICC trophy as they prepare to face New Zealand in their opening match.

India aiming for their first T20 World Cup title

The Women in Blue are confident of making a deep run in this tournament after several close calls in recent years. India’s most recent heartbreak came in 2023 when they were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual champions Australia. Reflecting on these past experiences, Harmanpreet Kaur voiced her belief that the team has put in the necessary preparation and is in the best shape to claim their first-ever ICC T20 title.

“If I talk about this team, we have players with plenty of experience, and they know their roles well,” Harmanpreet said during a press conference before departing for the UAE. “I can confidently say that this is the best team we are taking to a T20 World Cup.”

#TeamIndia 🇮🇳#T20WorldCup Bound ✈️ pic.twitter.com/kB4AH6PcIK

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 24, 2024

Rigorous preparations and optimism ahead of the tournament

Since their last competitive match, a narrow loss to Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final, the Indian squad has focused heavily on preparation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. With an emphasis on fielding and fitness, the team has been working hard to ensure they are at their physical peak for the upcoming World Cup. Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the team’s renewed commitment to fixing any past shortcomings.

“During the Asia Cup, we played good cricket overall, but it was just that one game where things didn’t go our way,” she stated. “We’ve discussed how to handle similar situations in the future and worked on these areas during our camps.”

See Also: Rest of India squad announced for Irani Cup

The Indian team is expected to give a tough fight as they look to bring home their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with several players like Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, and Arundhati Reddy playing pivotal roles. The squad’s balance between experienced campaigners and emerging talent makes them a formidable opponent in this global tournament.