India’s quest for their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title is fueled by the recent triumph of the men’s team, who ended a long trophy drought by winning the Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. The Indian women’s team is eager to replicate that success and make history by becoming the first nation to win both the men’s and women’s T20 World Cups in the same year.
Batter Jemimah Rodrigues expressed the team’s renewed determination after witnessing the men’s team’s victory. “Seeing them win just before our World Cup made it feel so much more real,” she said. “That desire and passion to win was ignited when we saw Rohit Sharma and the team lifting the trophy.”
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed Rodrigues’ sentiments, stating that a victory would be a special moment for Indian fans and cricket history. “It would be very special,” she said. “If we win, it will create a similar moment for Indian fans and for cricket history back home.”
India’s path to the title begins with their opening match against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. They will then face Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia in their Group A games. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur believes that the men’s team’s victory has given them hope and inspiration. “When the boys won, it gave us hope that we could replicate it,” she said.
Opener Shafali Verma added that a victory would be a joyous occasion for the nation. “Yes, the men’s team winning the World Cup was an emotional moment for the entire country,” she said. “If we win too, then it will be two World Cups in a year, which is a big thing for both us and the nation.”
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana emphasized the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome. “Winning two trophies in a year would be a different achievement, but winning the World Cup itself will be very special,” she said. “It’s important for us to follow the process and take it one match at a time.”
