ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Anjum Chopra Believes 'Group of Death' Augurs Well For Team India

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As the Indian Women's Cricket Team gears up for the highly-anticipated ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Bangladesh, former India cricketer Anjum Chopra reckons the Women In Blue will have their task cut out from the start of the competition.

Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Women In Blue will be looking to end the draught and lift their maiden ICC title. The Indian eves came tantalisingly close to lifting the silverware back in 2020 when they played the T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) against hosts Australia but lost without putting up a fight in the high-stakes contest.

In a candid conversation with MyKhel, Anjum Chopra shared her thoughts on the Indian women's cricket team's recent performances, especially in the Asia Cup and the significant rise of Sri Lankan cricket.

Known for her sharp analysis and in-depth understanding of the game, Chopra touched upon various facets of India's cricket, its future, and the challenges they face on the global stage.

Indian Women's Cricket Team's Form and the Asia Cup Final

Reflecting on India's performance in the Women's Asia Cup, where the team fell short in the final against Sri Lanka, Chopra pointed out that India had maintained a consistent style of play throughout the tournament. However, Sri Lanka's remarkable improvement from the first match to the final proved to be a decisive factor.

Chopra emphasized that Sri Lanka's victory was not a fluke but a testament to their growth. "Sri Lanka improved from the first match till the last match," she said, adding that it was heartening to see them step up, especially without their star player Chamari Athapaththu. "Sri Lanka's victory is a statement, and it's very good for Sri Lankan cricket," she noted.

She acknowledged that while India was a dominant force throughout the tournament, they did not elevate their game when it mattered the most, particularly in the final.

"India played the same cricket as it was playing in the entire tournament, but Sri Lanka kept raising their bar," Chopra said, suggesting that while the team was good enough to beat most of the sides, Sri Lanka's improved performance tested them to the limit.

Impact of Sri Lanka's Rise on Asian Cricket

Chopra viewed Sri Lanka's success as a positive development for Asian cricket. She mentioned that with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both showing progress, it bodes well for the region. "It augurs well for Asian cricket if teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are punching above their weight," she said, explaining that this not only adds competition but also strengthens cricket in the continent.

Moreover, Sri Lanka's win challenges the narrative of India and Pakistan being the sole giants in the region. Their triumph in the Asia Cup, following the men's team's impressive performances, highlights the upward trajectory of Sri Lankan cricket across both genders.

India's Challenges in ICC T20 Women's World Cup

Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Women In Blue are now targeting to put their best foot forward in the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the UAE next month. Indian eves have been grouped with defending champions Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Chopra believes Harmanpreet & Co. need to be at their absolute best in the competition to qualify for the semi-finals, for the top two teams from the group stage will advance to the knockouts. She cautioned that slipping up could be costly.

She also highlighted the challenging group stages of major tournaments, dubbing it a 'Group of Death' with strong teams like New Zealand and Australia. The format, with just two teams advancing from the group to the semi-finals, leaves little room for error.

"Being in the group of death will be good for this Indian side for they will be tested right from the start. If they are not at their best (right from the start), they won't be able to make it to the semi-finals," she stated further.