Harmanpreet Kaur’s Optimism for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Indian Women’s Cricket Team is all set to chase their first ICC Women’s title at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh later this year.

The tournament’s fixtures were announced earlier this month, with India sharing the group with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team’s captain, believes their recent 5-0 whitewash of Bangladesh will serve as a good warm-up for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

ALSO READ: Groups, fixtures revealed for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Harmanpreet is hopeful that the conditions in Bangladesh, similar to those in India, will work in their favor during the T20 World Cup.

“Yeah, it’s a bit similar to India and hopefully, in these conditions, we should do well,” Harmanpreet commented.

India and Bangladesh have developed an intense rivalry in international cricket in recent years.

Since the last T20 World Cup in 2023, India has visited Bangladesh twice for T20I and ODI series, which has given them a good understanding of the conditions and the opposition.

Harmanpreet acknowledges the home advantage that Bangladesh will have, but she remains excited about the challenge that awaits her team.

“Bangladesh will be the home team and they will know the conditions better than us,” Harmanpreet noted. “But playing against them is always an exciting event. And hopefully, we will do well against them.”

Harmanpreet has been particularly impressed by Marufa Akter, a 19-year-old pace sensation from Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s teenage sensation Marufa Akter rips through the Sri Lanka middle order with two wickets in as many deliveries at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

When asked which player she would choose to have on the Indian side from Bangladesh, Harmanpreet picked Marufa Akter.

“From the Bangladesh team, I would choose Marufa Akter. She looks very exciting talent to me. And if she is in our team, she can do really well for us,” Harmanpreet said.

India will begin their campaign against New Zealand on 5 October and will face Australia in their last group stage game on 13 October.

Harmanpreet highlighted Australia as the opponent she is most looking forward to playing against, given their dominance in international cricket.

India are fuelled by memories of their loss in T20 World Cup Final in 2020, as they look to go one better in South Africa at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023

“I think it will be Australia (who I look forward to facing) because they are very competitive,” said Harmanpreet. “And if we do well against them, it will give us a lot of confidence and I’m really looking forward to playing against them.”

Harmanpreet predicted India, Australia, England, and South Africa as the semi-finalists at the upcoming event.

India, who have narrowly missed out on clinching ICC titles in crucial moments, such as the finals of the 2017 World Cup and the 2020 T20 World Cup, will be under some pressure.

However, Harmanpreet expressed confidence in India turning over a new leaf going forward and wanted her side to come out on top in close encounters.

“I think in all the ICC events we have done well. The only thing is that we have lost a lot of close games. And this time hopefully all those close games if we can win and do well for the team,” Harmanpreet concluded.