Women’s World Cup T20: India’s confidence faces reality test

India’s Women’s World T20 campaign begins with high expectations after last year’s ODI triumph. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s team faces a tough Group 1, including Australia and South Africa. (Photo/IANS) More than 48 years since India played their first ICC World Cup match on January 1, 1978, the team arrives in England on Friday for the Women’s T20 World Cup with ICC silverware already secured for the trophy cabinet.Last year’s home victory in the ODI World Cup changed the outlook for women’s cricket in India, raising expectations and boosting confidence. With the tournament starting on Friday, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team have a chance to further assert their status among the sport’s premier teams.Preparation over the past 12 months has been characterized by uneven results. India got off to a good start with a 3-2 series win in England, then thrashed Sri Lanka 5-0 at home and registered a strong 2-1 series win in Australia. However, they have struggled to sustain that drive in recent weeks. A 1-4 loss to South Africa highlighted areas of concern and England then recently recorded a 2-1 series win over India.Fitness issues further complicate things. All-rounder Amanjot Kaur and highly rated quick Kashvee Gautam were both ruled out. Opener Shafali Verma may also be asked to add value with his off-spin.Yastika Bhatia’s return after almost nine months out of service offers a useful boost. Slotted in at No.3, the left-hander brings balance and experience to a batting line-up that has often lacked consistent performance.India’s prospects are likely to depend heavily on their batting. Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Shafali Verma, Yastika and Jemimah Rodrigues can control the bowling attack, but converting promising starts into meaningful totals remains a familiar problem.You have to take the positives. Several Indian players are familiar with English conditions through The Hundred. Smriti, Harmanpreet, Jemimah, Deepti Sharma, Shafali and Richa Ghosh have spent a lot of time playing in England which should help them in judging pitches and conditions.For Jemimah, this event could have another meaning. Although she has done well in England earlier, she enters the tournament with just a half-century in the last eight innings. India will want her to find her form again, while the experienced figures of Harmanpreet and Smriti have to take care of setting the early pace, with the power play still an area for improvement.The bowling unit also raises questions. Renuka Singh will lead the pace attack, with Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy and Nandani Sharma providing the other options. Among the spinners, Deepti Sharma’s recent decline in efficiency increases the burden on Radha Yadav, Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil, who may be key if India opt to go in with five bowlers.Elsewhere, several challengers are coming in with strong stories. Australia, the most decorated side in women’s cricket, will be looking to regain control under new captain Sophie Molineux after failing to win a World Cup since 2024. South Africa are still chasing their first ICC title, while hosts England will be looking to make the most of the familiar conditions.Meanwhile, defending champions New Zealand are pushing for further success for outgoing senior players Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu.India started their campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.