Indian women's team go into the T20 World Cup as one of the favourites. Not often do you associate a team with the favourite tag until there is something special they have to offer.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will be looking to script history and win the elusive world title. Not before has the Indian women's team lifted an ICC trophy across formats, although the team ended runners up in ODI World Cup in 2017.
Their pursuit of a maiden world title starts today against Australia. Much of how their league-stage campaign goes will be determined by the outcome of the tournament opener against Australia, and also give us an idea of whether captain Harmanpreet's hopes of playing Australia in the final on March 8 could come true or not.
In their most recent meeting, in the?final of the tri-series, India squandered a strong start from opener?Smriti Mandhana?because of yet another middle-order collapse, a long-standing issue that the team hasn't been able to solve .
A strong middle-order?showing will make India a greater threat at the tournament. Smriti?Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur will form a solid top-order.?
The form of the returning left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who finished atop the wicket-takers' chart in the recently concluded tri-series, and fit-against wristspinner Poonam Yadav augurs well.??
Verma and Rodrigues, could well make the difference between victory and defeat for India, not just against Australia but through the World Cup. There is a potent, spin-heavy bowling attack too, but it might come down to those four batters at the top when the going gets tough, and even otherwise.?
If they fire, India are a better team. If they don't, well, fans of the team would hope it doesn't come to that.??
It is a golden opportunity for Harmanpreet and co. to change the script this time round and get their hands on the all elusive world title.