Bengaluru: Twelve years have passed since India last had the honor of hosting the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2013, where they concluded their campaign in seventh place. Their previous best performance on home turf was a semi-final finish back in 1997. In the intervening years, women’s cricket has witnessed a phenomenal surge in popularity and investment, naturally elevating the hopes and expectations surrounding the Indian team.
Leading the charge is Harmanpreet Kaur, a veteran player embarking on her fifth World Cup journey. She is resolute in ensuring that the immense expectations do not become a burden for her squad. India will kick off their campaign on October 30th against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
During the ICC captains’ meet held concurrently in Bengaluru and Colombo, Harmanpreet shared her perspective: “A home World Cup is always special, and we know there are a lot of expectations on us. We’re diligently working to elevate our game. I view this as a fantastic opportunity. Our goal is simply to play our best cricket, embrace the moment, and avoid succumbing to excessive pressure.”
Reflecting on the honor of captaining the team at home, she added, “Leading your country is always a very special moment, but to do so in an ODI World Cup on home soil is truly extraordinary.”
One of the most anticipated matches of the league stage is India’s clash with Pakistan on October 5th. Beyond the usual geopolitical intensity, the recent drama from their encounters in the Asia Cup in Dubai has only amplified the excitement. Harmanpreet skillfully addressed questions regarding this high-stakes fixture, asserting, “We can only control our performance on the cricket field. Everything else is beyond our influence. We consciously choose not to discuss these external factors within the dressing room.”
Seven-time champions Australia, who are consistently formidable, are keeping a close eye on the hosts. Skipper Alyssa Healy acknowledged the challenge, stating, “I believe this is going to be the toughest World Cup we’ve ever been a part of. Australia has an incredible legacy in this format and in World Cups, but I truly think every single team will be incredibly challenging to overcome.”
The growing attendance at women’s cricket matches in India has not gone unnoticed. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt remarked, “The sheer number of fans who turn up for games in India creates an unparalleled energy that we haven’t encountered before. As a player, that is incredibly thrilling.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand, fresh off their maiden ICC T20 World Cup victory, enter the tournament with a new level of anticipation. However, skipper Sophie Devine sought to temper these expectations. “I’m not certain there’s an overwhelming amount of expectation on us. While people might reference our T20 World Cup win last year, this is a completely different format. We need to apply the lessons learned from Dubai last year and focus on the present challenge.”