The 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup gets underway on 3 October with Bangladesh taking on Scotland in the inaugural fixture. The Indian women's cricket team will be in action on 4 October as Harmanpreet Kaur and her forces gear up to lock horns against New Zealand.
The Indian women's team has not had very good memories in ICC tournaments. Having finished runners-up in the ODI World Cup twice in 2005 and in 2017, the Women in Blue reached the final of the T20 World Cup in 2020 but again couldn't cross the final hurdle.
Once again, Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the charge as the Indian team will hope to banish the blues from the past and etch their names in the history books. After the Indian men's cricket team won the T20 World Cup 2024 earlier in June, there are high expectations from the women's team as well.
Indian men's cricket team captain Rohit Sharma wished the Women in Blue good luck before they began their T20 World Cup journey, while the likes of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant also wished the Indian women's team well.
Several IPL franchises also wished the Indian team ahead of their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.
.@TheSkyGupta aadhe fan ko aadha ticket milega? 👀🫢Women’s Team ko WorldCup mein support karo, #PooraFanBano…@Dream11#Collab#Ad#Dream11pic.twitter.com/DzqmisEdpa
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) October 2, 2024
Wishing our amazing Women in Blue the best of luck for the ICC Women's #T20WorldCup 2024! Your dedication and passion inspire millions. We’re all behind you as you shine on the world stage! 💙🏏 #WomenInBlue@BCCIWomen
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) October 3, 2024
Sending my best wishes to the Indian Women's Cricket Team for the World Cup. We all are rooting for you. 🇮🇳🏏#RP17
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) October 3, 2024
🔟 Teams☝️TrophyGame ON, Dream ON. 🏆Come on #TeamIndia, let’s make it 2 in 2 this year! 🇮🇳#PlayBold#T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/X5qDIvTdP5
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 3, 2024
Habibi, come to Dubai! 🦅The stage is set for the big dance! 🔥#T20WorldCup#PunjabKingspic.twitter.com/6mXlh9CIJG
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) October 3, 2024
🏆 ✅ #T20WorldCup Captains ✅ 🐪 ✅Let’s gooo! 😎#AaliRepic.twitter.com/OjIbO5eKYa
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 3, 2024
All set for the Desert Safari 🤩 pic.twitter.com/1uW6f31XE1
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) October 3, 2024
1⃣0⃣ Captains 1⃣ Trophy UAE is all set for a T20 Carnival 🥳#WhistleForBlue#T20WorldCup 📸 : @ICCpic.twitter.com/TUz2A3u0h7
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) October 2, 2024
I can already feel the excitement in the air with the Women’s T20 World Cup starting today! Wishing the #WomenInBlue all the best for their first game tomorrow. Go out there and make us proud!#T20WorldCup
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) October 3, 2024
"Team India will be the team to beat in this tournament" 🇮🇳💙That was @harbhajan_singh’s view on the #WomenInBlue’s chances at the #WomensWorldCuponStar! 🤩Watch #WomensWorldCupOnStar | #INDWvNZW | FRI, 4th OCT, 7 PM onwards! pic.twitter.com/1NMN8J7wXQ
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 3, 2024
India have Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in their group, and former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh said that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led unit should be wary of the threat posed by the Aussies.
"I think India needs to be very careful when playing against Australia. Looking at this group, India has Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. But one match that I think will be a little tough is the India-Australia match," Harbhajan told Star Sports.
"Australia is a good team, even though these matches are being played in Dubai, on subcontinent pitches that might not suit them as much as their home conditions. But Australia, no matter where they play, are hard to beat. So, the biggest challenge for India may be Australia," he added.
Sri Lanka defeated India in the Asia Cup, and the former India great warned the Women in Blue not to take the Lankan Lionesses lightly.