The star cricketer Deepti Sharma is targeting the end of India’s prolonged wait for their maiden ICC trophy at the forthcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The seasoned all-rounder has opened up about India’s preparations and shared her candid thoughts following the ICC’s decision to shift the World Cup venue from Bangladesh to the UAE on Tuesday.
The UAE has been designated to host the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to commence on October 3. This unexpected venue change, less than two weeks before the start of the tournament, poses a substantial challenge for teams scrambling to adjust. However, Deepti Sharma is unfazed by this late switch, confidently asserting that it won’t negatively impact the Indian cricket team.
Deepti argues that the playing conditions in the UAE are likely to be more balanced compared to the spin-favored surfaces in Bangladesh. This is a notable consideration since India greatly relies on their formidable spin attack, spearheaded by none other than Deepti herself. She maintains that the change in venue is inconsequential, adding that the Indian squad is well-versed with the nature of the wickets in the UAE.
“It doesn’t matter wherever the World Cup is happening, I just focus on how as an all-rounder I can contribute to the team’s success,” Deepti Sharma conveyed to PTI. “I just want to give it my all and the last 4-5 months have been fruitful for us. Let’s hope we continue the good work and end the trophy wait this time. We have a little idea about how the wickets will play in UAE.”
India’s best performance in T20 World Cup history came during the 2020 edition in Australia. Despite a valiant effort throughout the tournament, they suffered a massive defeat against the hosts in the final. The subsequent edition in 2023, held in South Africa, saw India narrowly missing out on the final, losing by just five runs to Australia in the semi-final.
These near-misses have only fueled the team’s hunger for silverware, with Deepti Sharma’s contributions proving increasingly crucial. Her recent form, evidenced by her impressive statistics across formats in 2024, has India’s hopes pinned on her performances. Sharma, the highest-ranked Indian bowler and all-rounder in both ICC ODI and T20I rankings, recently added another feather to her cap by leading London Spirit to their maiden The Hundred Women 2024 title.
Deepti’s success isn’t limited to just individual accolades.
. She believes in collective effort and sees the team’s preparation as holistic. The Indian team has rigorously trained under varied conditions, and their strategy sessions have been meticulous. This detailed preparation, she asserts, makes them adaptable to different pitches and unpredictable game scenarios.
“Our preparation regime included simulating diverse playing conditions,” explained Deepti. “The team has worked hard on all fronts—bowling, batting, and fielding. We are prepared to encounter any challenges that the UAE pitches throw at us.”
As the World Cup draws closer, the Indian team is also focusing on mental resilience in addition to physical readiness. Several interactive sessions with sports psychologists have aimed to boost player confidence and tackle the stress that accompanies high-stakes tournaments.
“The mental aspect of the game is equally important. The entire team, inclusive of coaches and support staff, has participated in these sessions. This holistic approach makes us more cohesive and battle-ready,” shared Deepti.
India’s strategic composition owes much to Deepti’s versatility as an all-rounder. Her steady improvement in batting, accompanied by her stellar bowling, could tip the scales in India’s favor. With her ability to perform under pressure, Deepti is expected to maintain her remarkable run.
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Finally, while discussing the current team dynamics, Deepti expressed a confident outlook: “We have formed a strong unit and learnt from past mistakes. The team is in good spirits, and we are focused on delivering our best performance. Our single-minded goal is to bring the trophy home and make our country proud.”
As the countdown to October 3 begins, all eyes will be on Deepti Sharma and her team to see if India can finally break their ICC trophy jinx. With preparation and passion at the forefront, the aspirations of an entire nation will rest on their shoulders.
