T20 World Cup, UAE, New Zealand and Pakistan: Deja Vu of 2021 hits Indian women's cricket team

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India Women have been hit by the Deja Vu of men's T20 World Cup 2021 after losing their first match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai on Friday, October 4.

Like the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, the men's ICC showpiece event was also held in the UAE, and India were placed in the same group as New Zealand and Pakistan.

In a forgettable campaign, the Men in Blue, who were being led by Virat Kohli, lost their opening match to Pakistan and then went down against New Zealand in the second match to crash out from the Super 12 stage.

In a slight difference, India Women have lost their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against New Zealand by 58 runs, and will be up against Pakistan on Sunday, October 6.

Why India Women need to win against Pakistan?

The afternoon match against the arch-rivals in the UAE heat is extremely crucial for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side. Another defeat can dent their semi-final chances massively.

India Women have been placed in the tough Group A, and would be facing three-time defending champions Australia, reigning Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh after that.

The road ahead is not at all easy, and leaving nothing to luck the Women in Blue would have to make sure to win all their upcoming matches, especially the one against Pakistan.

A win over Pakistan would bring the confidence back in the India Women dressing room. A negative result would bring pressure which could completely derail their campaign.

Australia Women defeated India by six wickets in the Women's ODI World Cup 2022, choked them to a five-run win in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup last year, and have also won four of their last five matches in the format against India.

Sri Lanka Women can also not be taken lightly. They thrashed India Women by eight wickets in the Asia Cup final earlier this year. Sri Lanka chased down a 166-run total in 18.4 overs only.

Therefore, India will need to beat Pakistan before it's all lost. Pakistan are high on confidence after defending 117 against Sri Lanka in their first match. They restricted them to 85/9 for a 31-run win.

India batters and bowlers struggled against New Zealand. The bowlers failed to bowl as per the field, and looked very vulnerable. The star-studded batting unit also looked stuck under the scoreboard pressure. The next match against Pakistan is set to be a litmus for India, who are eyeing their maiden ICC title.