India’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on Friday with a highly anticipated clash against New Zealand. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, boasts a strong lineup featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma.
Despite reaching the final in 2020 and the semi-final in 2022, India has fallen short against Australia on both occasions. However, former India regular Punam Raut believes the team has a chance to make a strong run this year.
“We have a very good setup and a strong team,” Raut said. “Our preparations have been excellent, and we have been playing well.”
Raut highlighted the importance of consistency, particularly in the batting department. “In T20, bringing consistency is the most difficult thing for a batter,” she said. “If our main five batters consistently perform well, only then can we win.”
The tournament will be played in the United Arab Emirates, a familiar venue for the Indian team. Raut believes the conditions will favor spinners, who could be the X-factor in the competition.
“Spinners will be the X-factor in this World Cup because the conditions are favorable for them,” Raut said. “We have quite a few good spinners, like Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma.”
India’s second match in the tournament will be against Pakistan, a team they have traditionally dominated. Raut attributed this dominance to Pakistan’s lack of batting strength.
“Pakistan always lack in batting, but they have a good bowling strength,” Raut said. “If they have a good batting strength, they can do well against India.”
Australia remains the favorite to win the tournament, but Raut believes India can challenge them if they can overcome their consistency issues.
“Australia are a very good team, and we have to accept that,” Raut said. “But if our main five batters consistently perform well, only then can we win.”
