The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is approaching fast, and as the excitement builds, all eyes are on the Indian women’s cricket team. Initially scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, the tournament has been relocated to the UAE due to political unrest in Bangladesh. As serial winners Australia gear up to defend their title for the seventh time, India aims to break their streak of near-misses and secure their maiden senior women’s ICC title.
The journey of the Indian women’s team in the Women’s T20 World Cup has been one marked by both heartbreak and promise. The team, often referred to as the ‘Women in Blue,’ has come agonizingly close to clinching the title on several occasions. The team’s best finish came in the 2020 edition, where they reached the final but fell short against a dominant Australian side. Here, we recount India’s journey in the tournament, tracing their steps from early promise to persistent near-misses.
In the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, the Indian team made a significant impact by reaching the semifinals. The team, led by the formidable Jhulan Goswami, included cricketing stalwarts such as Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, and a young Harmanpreet Kaur. Despite their strong performance, India’s aspirations were cut short by New Zealand in the semifinals, marking an early end to their World Cup dream.
The following tournament saw the Indian team once again finishing second in their group. However, they encountered the eventual champions, Australia, in the semifinals. Despite a valiant effort, India couldn’t overcome the Aussies, leading to another semifinal exit.
The subsequent editions of the World Cup, held in 2012, 2014, and 2016, were particularly challenging for the Women in Blue. In 2012, India found themselves in a tough group with former champions England and defending champions Australia, alongside Pakistan. The team, under the leadership of Mithali Raj, failed to win a single game, resulting in a disappointing group-stage exit. The 2014 edition saw a slight improvement with the team winning two of their four group games, but they still couldn’t progress beyond the group stage. In 2016, India’s performance fell short once again, managing only one win in their group.
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Determined to turn their fortunes around, India made significant strides in the 2018 edition. Harmanpreet Kaur was appointed as the captain for the first time in the 20-over World Cup. She led the team to the semifinals, topping their group and even defeating their long-time rivals Australia. However, their campaign was halted in the semifinals by England, the same team that had defeated them in the ODI World Cup Final a year prior.
The 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup remains a poignant chapter in India’s cricketing history. The team navigated through the group stages and an abandoned semifinal against England to reach the final. However, they were once again thwarted by a powerful Australian side. India’s batting lineup faltered, collapsing for just 99 runs, and Australia cruised to an 85-run victory to clinch the title.
The 2023 World Cup in South Africa saw India finishing second in their group, their only loss coming against England. This set up a tantalizing semifinal clash against Australia. Despite a closely-fought battle, the defending champions edged out India by a narrow margin of five runs, continuing their streak of triumphs over the Women in Blue.
While the journey has been filled with moments of despair, it has also been punctuated by flashes of hope and resilience. New faces have emerged, bringing fresh energy and determination to the team. As the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup approaches, the Indian team is more prepared and hungry than ever to end their run of near-misses and finally taste world glory.
India’s Women’s T20 World Cup journey serves as a testament to their perseverance and unyielding spirit. Though the road has been fraught with challenges, each setback has only strengthened their resolve. With a combination of experienced veterans and exciting young talent, the Women in Blue are poised to make a resounding statement in the UAE. The question remains: will this be the tournament where India breaks their jinx and lifts their first-ever senior women’s ICC title? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—India’s hopes are higher than ever as they embark on this new chapter in their World Cup journey.
