Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has made a clear statement that India is having no pressure and aiming for the ultimate victory in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The ICC event has a slightly different perspective than usual. Apart from the usual favourites, there have been eyes on the Indian team as they have been truly attributed to how they have performed in the T20I format.
“I wouldn’t say pressure because the World Cup is a big event for each player, but personally I’m motivated with the men’s World Cup they took home. We are doing a really good job throughout each and every series and every tournament and I won’t say it’s a pressure, but we will do our best,” said Deepti Sharma.
She also remembered the sudden transformation which changed their social life after Indian women played in the ODI World Cup 2017.
“How we played the finals in 2017, suddenly everything changed. Personally, it feels really good because the fans, know I’m Deepti Sharma. It’s difficult to go out in the mall or walk down some streets.”
“It’s a great feeling from the 2017 World Cup final and, if we win the World Cup, things will change from every perspective and each woman will want to play cricket after that, so I’m hoping for the best,” added Deepti.
Deepti said that if Harmanpreet Kaur led side managed to win the T20 World Cup 2024, then it would change a lot of things.
“The World Cup gives lot of confidence that we can do our best and small girls when they come to watch our series in India – in Bangalore, we played the South Africa series – and they were like, ‘I want autographs’ and ‘I want pictures’, so it’s great to watch them,” Deepti said. “And they said, ‘I also started playing cricket.’
“We just told them, ‘don’t give up, just play your best and don’t think about the result, results will come, just express yourself’.”
The Indian women’s team has reached the final only once in the year 2020. They lost the finals. During the 2023 semifinals, India was knocked out by champions Australia.
The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to begin on October 03 with Bangladesh women and Scotland women playing in the inaugural match of the event. India women will play their first match against New Zealand on October 04 at Dubai International Stadium.
