Dubai: The Indian women’s cricket team, led by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, is set to begin their quest for their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, undaunted by the pressure of past near misses. The team, which has reached the semi-finals four times and was the runner-up in 2020, is looking to capitalize on their recent form, including warm-up victories over the West Indies and South Africa.
According to International Cricket Council, India’s campaign will start against New Zealand in Dubai, followed by matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the reigning champions, Australia. Captain Kaur expressed optimism and determination, emphasizing the team’s desire to replicate the joy their male counterparts brought to the nation earlier this year by winning an international tournament. She advocates for a relaxed approach, focusing on enjoyment of the game rather than the burden of expectations.
New Zealand, despite leading the head-to-head record, enters the tournament with recent struggles, having won only two of their last fifteen T20I matches. The tournament also marks a significant transition for the White Ferns, as Captain Sophie Devine plans to step down from the T20I captaincy to concentrate on the ODI format post-tournament. Devine recalled her past success against Australia in the subcontinent in 2016 as a highlight and anticipates that the unfamiliar conditions in the UAE might offer her team an advantage.