New Delhi: Team India will start their Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on October 4. The Women in Blue are placed in Group A along with defending champions Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
While South Africa, Bangladesh, England, West Indies and Scotland are placed in Group B. In the group stage, each team will play four matches and the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinal.
After the first match against New Zealand, India will face Pakistan on October 6 and Sri Lanka on October 9 in Dubai. Team India will square off against Australia in their last group stage match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on October 13.
The BCCI has announced the 15-member squad for the tournament in August. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the team and Smriti Mandhana named as the vice-captain. The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh but was shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to political tensions. The Women’s T20 World Cup will start on October 3 and the final will be played in Dubai on October 20.
‘Every game in the World Cup is important’: Smriti Mandhana
Team India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said that every game in the World Cup is important and players have to give 100 per cent in every match. “Every game in the World Cup is important, and you have to give your 100 per cent in each one. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are strong teams, but with Australia, you know you can’t afford to make mistakes” said Smriti Mandhana.
Mandhana further talked about the India-Pakistan rivalry and said the match is more about the emotions of the fans but players will put the same amount of effort in each game.
“I think the India-Pakistan rivalry is more about the emotions of the fans than anything else. It’s not like the players don’t talk to each other; it’s the emotions from both nations that make it so intense” Mandhana said.
Mandhana also talked about the challenging conditions in UAE and said that the afternoon matches are going to be a challenge for the players but when you play for the country there are no excuses.
Team India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana talked about the India vs Pakistan rivalry ahead of the T20 World Cup clash against arch-rivals on October 6. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
