The Indian women's cricket team is set to embark on its first assignment as the reigning ICC ODI World Cup champion. The team will face Sri Lanka in a five-match T20 International series, with the opening match scheduled at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
From Past Defeats to Present Glory
This very venue in Visakhapatnam holds memories of a challenging period for the team. In November, during the ICC ODI World Cup, India suffered consecutive defeats here against formidable opponents Australia and South Africa. However, that chapter is firmly in the past. The team scripted a glorious redemption story by lifting the World Cup trophy after a thrilling final victory over South Africa in Navi Mumbai.
A Crucial Build-Up to the T20 World Cup
This home series against Sri Lanka serves as ideal preparation for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for next year. Led by the dynamic Harmanpreet Kaur, India enters the contest as overwhelming favourites. The statistics heavily favour the hosts, who boast a dominant 20-6 win-loss record against Sri Lanka in T20Is. Sri Lanka's last triumph came during the 2024 Asia Cup final.
The Indian batting lineup presents a formidable challenge for any bowling attack. The explosive opening pair of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma can take the game away quickly. The middle order is bolstered by the consistency of Jemimah Rodrigues, the power-hitting of Richa Ghosh, and the leadership of captain Harmanpreet. The all-round capabilities of Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur add further depth and balance to the side.
Bowling Boost and Key Decisions
India's bowling attack receives a significant boost with the return of pace spearhead Renuka Singh. She missed the previous T20I series, a closely fought 3-2 away win against England, and her presence with the new ball is considered vital to India's plans. The team management faces a selection choice for the supporting pace role, with a toss-up expected between Kranti Goud and Arundhati Reddy.
As the newly crowned world champions take the field, all eyes will be on them to start their new campaign on a winning note and build momentum for the next global challenge.
