The recent Women’s T20 World Cup exit for India marks a disappointing campaign, as they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2016. Watching their fate unfold through another game — the Pakistan-New Zealand match — was an emotionally taxing experience for the Indian team, as their hopes soared and plummeted. New Zealand’s 110-run target seemed defendable, but Pakistan’s collapse to 56 all out dashed India’s chances of progressing.
A Campaign That Never Really Took Off
The Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, had a campaign that struggled to gain momentum. Compared to the 2023 edition, where they reached the semi-finals, this time felt more like a missed opportunity. A combination of poor strategy, unproductive experiments with the batting order, and individual decision-making errors contributed to their downfall.
Batting-Order Confusion
India’s continuous experimentation with the No. 3 spot became one of the key reasons for their exit. Since Amol Muzumdar took over as head coach, the team tried six different players in that position. Harmanpreet Kaur was backed to take on the aggressive role there, freeing up Jemimah Rodrigues for the middle-order. However, this strategy didn’t pan out, as Rodrigues was moved around the order, and the team’s batting lacked consistency. The reshuffling during crucial games, particularly against New Zealand and Pakistan, disrupted the team’s flow.
Key Players Off-Form
Smriti Mandhana, India’s star batter, had a lackluster tournament, barring a half-century against Sri Lanka. Her failure to provide a strong start hurt India’s chances, as her contributions in powerplays are usually vital in giving the middle order some breathing room. Similarly, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet made poor decisions in crucial moments, further compounding India’s struggles.
Questionable Tactical Decisions
Some tactical decisions during the tournament raised eyebrows. Against Pakistan, India sent Deepti Sharma ahead of Sajana when they needed to close out a modest chase. The team’s middle-order collapse in important moments, coupled with such questionable choices, hampered their progress.
Lack of Exposure Before the Tournament
India’s World Cup preparation involved fitness and skills camps, but some players lacked crucial match practice. The decision not to send key players like Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav on the India A tour to Australia deprived them of valuable experience. While fitness is essential, match exposure under challenging conditions would have provided a more well-rounded preparation. This inexperience showed when India faced quality opposition like Australia, with their lower order unable to handle the pressure.
Missed Opportunities in Fielding
Fielding, particularly under lights, became another area where India struggled. Dropped catches in critical matches, including the game against Australia, may not have been the sole reason for their defeat, but they certainly contributed to the team’s downfall.
Looking Ahead: A Need for Transition?
As India looks toward future tournaments, including the 50-over World Cup at home next year, there may be a need for leadership change. Harmanpreet Kaur has been captain for seven years and has navigated the team through various transitions, including multiple coaching changes. However, with Smriti Mandhana emerging as a respected leader, there is speculation that a change in captaincy might inject fresh ideas into the team.
Mandhana, who recently led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden Women’s Premier League (WPL) win, has built an impressive resume. At 28, with over a decade of international experience, she may be the right choice to lead India forward, allowing Harmanpreet to focus on her batting.
Conclusion: Lessons for the Future
India’s early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup is a moment of reflection for both players and management. A mix of tactical missteps, lack of match practice, and individual errors cost them a shot at glory. Going forward, addressing these issues and possibly transitioning leadership could set the team on a more successful path for the future tournaments.
