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From World Cup glory to new challenges, India women ready for next phase

Shreyasi

Renuka Singh Thakur, Smriti Mandhana, Vaishnavi Sharma [Source: X/@BCCIWomen]Renuka Singh Thakur, Smriti Mandhana, Vaishnavi Sharma [Source: X/@BCCIWomen]

The World Cup proved to be a roller-coaster ride for India women. The world now looks at the Indian women’s cricket team differently. The Indian team will be expected to uphold the standards of reigning world champions in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, for the team management, this series serves as a vital transitional phase to adapt to the T20 setup.

India's historic ODI WC triumph: Expectations high for the next phase

India women's ODI World Cup campaign began with two consecutive victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However, this momentum quickly stalled as they suffered three successive defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England. Despite the setbacks, India revived their campaign with a crucial win over New Zealand.

India’s match against Bangladesh was abandoned midway through their chase, but that shared point from the game was enough to see them through to the Knockout stages. Then, there was no looking back for India women.

First, they triumphed over Australia in the semi-final, earning a place in the final. Then, in a thrilling contest, they beat South Africa to clinch the tournament title. Jemimah Rodrigues starred in the semi-final, while Shafali Verma rose to the final to produce a match-winning performance. Shafali was even named the ICC Women’s Player of the month for November.

Beyond the glory

Since the successful ODI World Cup campaign, the India women's team has not participated in any international fixtures. The period saw Indian team players highlighted by the media for various reasons. The increased popularity led to a horizon of opportunities for many, whereas Smriti Mandhana was in the headlines for various non-cricketing controversies.

Now, after the historic triumph followed by some drama and chaos, the Indian women’s cricket team is going back to the basics. They are gearing up for their next international challenge as the upcoming 5-match T20I series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to start on December 21. 

While the Indian team will be under pressure to replicate their recent ODI success in the T20I format, this series also serves a larger purpose. It provides an essential platform for the team to fine-tune their strategies and preparations for the forthcoming T20 World Cup, to be held next year in England and Wales.

The post-World Cup reset for India women

India will kick off their campaign by retaining the core set of players from the ODI World Cup squad. While the mainstays remain intact, a few newcomers are also preparing to step onto the international arena.

Eyes will be on two outstanding teenagers, wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma. Both made their way to the national side after showcasing their talent at the domestic level.

While Kamalini has some WPL exposure, for Vaishnavi, the consistent contributions at domestic cricket have done the job. Her transition to international cricket from the domestic stage after being unsold at the Women’s Premier League auction is already a fascinating storyline for the fans.

Experienced stars, promising newcomers: Blend of experince and youth

Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead the side after her brilliance in the crucial knockout stage of the ODI World Cup. For her deputy, the series comes with an opportunity to once again remind the world of her worth. After being part of social media trends for all kinds of non-cricketing reasons, it is time for Smriti Mandhana to be the dependable batter the team looks up to.

World Cup stars like Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues will look forward to having a smooth transition to the T20I after having a blast in the ODI World Cup. Following her stellar performances in the ODI World Cup and previous T20I series, Shafali Verma enters the T20 World Cup brimming with confidence and is expected to be one of India’s most formidable assets. 

Similarly, high expectations are placed on key players like Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Meanwhile, the experienced Renuka Singh Thakur is making a comeback for the T20 team after missing the last T20I series against England. This series will be ideal for all to get more clarity on their role in a fluid T20 batting order.

For team management, this series will give opportunities to test the players and experiment with new strategies. They will aim to solidify the squad’s depth and versatility by integrating fresh talent into the playing eleven. Achieving the perfect blend of experience and youth will be key to establishing core team balance and maintaining the necessary winning momentum.