The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off on October 3, and the Indian women’s cricket team is gearing up for their first match against New Zealand on October 4. This edition of the tournament holds special significance for the Indian team, as they have yet to secure a T20 World Cup trophy despite several strong performances.
The team enters this ninth iteration of the competition with renewed hopes and aspirations. Before their opening game, the players were touched by motivational messages from family and friends, boosting their spirits as they prepared for the challenges ahead.
Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the team is eager to improve upon their near-miss in 2020, when they fell short against Australia in the final. With the tournament being held in the United Arab Emirates, the familiar playing conditions provide the Indian squad with a sense of comfort, making them one of the favourites to clinch the title this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized a heartfelt video compilation of family messages, which elicited laughter and warm emotions among the players.
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Smriti Mandhana’s family expressed their pride with a heartfelt message, stating, “Hi Smriti, we wish you all the best for the upcoming World Cup. We just wanted to let you know and the entire team that we are super proud of you for the hard work you put in day in and day out.”
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Similarly, Shreyanka Patil’s parents celebrated her selection, saying, “Really proud of my daughter, Shreyanka Patil, on being selected for the first T20 World Cup. Congratulations, Shreyanka, and all the best, Team India!”
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India finds itself in Group A alongside formidable teams like Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Australia, a six-time champion, enters the tournament as the defending champions, adding to the competitive atmosphere. As the Indian squad continues to prepare diligently for the ICC event, their primary goal is to start strong right from Day 1 against New Zealand, setting the tone for what they hope will be a successful campaign.
