On foreign soil, with the devilish fearlessness, heart and determination - Indian women's team is chasing dreams and history at the T20 World Cup in Australia.?
After a perfect league campaign where they won all their four games. Harmanpreet Kaur-led team had a free pass in the semifinal after the game against England was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled. Having finished top of their group, it meant India went through to the final.?
Albeit via a washout, but India deserve to be in the final. They have been brilliant and are worth their place in the summit clash. Only one final hurdle remains, in the form of defending champions Australia.?
Interestingly, the final is on March 8, that happens to be International?Women's Day. It will be a special occasion?and the Women In Blue will have the chance to win the all elusive World Cup. It will be a first appearance in the T20 World Cup final for India, and what a time it would be?to create history. The script coudn't have been written better.?
Harmanpreet and co. have produced some brilliant performances to get this far. The opening win over Australia sent a early reminder of what was to come from team India. The team has steamed into the final and face the team they beat in the opening game of the tournament.?
The likes of Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, Radha Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur herself shall be expected to put their best foot forward. Shafali, Poonam and Radha have been the most consistent in the tournament and it is time for the rest of the team to step up.?
History beckons for the young Indian side and it is time to get behind our girls who are chasing dreams and carrying the hopes of 1.3 billion Indians. They have done a commendable job to come this far and now face their toughest test in a game that could define their legacy.?
There is an air of optimism and there is a reason to believe. Never before has Indian women's team won a World Cup in any format, but that could all change on Sunday. The moment is their for the taking and Women in Blue are hungry enough to grab it.?
The onus is also on us fans to cheer the team on and provide our unconditional support to the lionesses who are doing the country proud. The road to glory is at its final stretch and a win will write a historic chapter in Indian sports.?
We go together, as one. Come on team, let us get them.?
Australia vs India, Melbourne?
March 8, 2020
Time: 12:30 PM IST