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India’s journey in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 ended in disappointment as the team failed to advance past the group stage, marking their first such exit in eight years. After suffering a crucial defeat to Australia, India’s fate hinged on the outcome of the Pakistan versus New Zealand match. A victory for Pakistan would have kept India’s hopes alive, but New Zealand’s dominant 54-run win over Pakistan on Monday secured their semi-final spot, eliminating India from the tournament.
India’s early exit: A major setback despite high expectations
India’s exit from the multi-team tournament at the group stage marked a significant setback, especially as the team had been seen as one of the favorites to make it to the knockout rounds. Despite a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, India’s performances were inconsistent, leading to their elimination. In a tournament where every match mattered, a few critical shortcomings sealed their fate. Let’s have a look at some reasons behind their failure in the competition.
3 key reasons why India fell short of reaching in the semi-final
1. Consistent batting failures
One of the biggest issues for India throughout the tournament was their poor batting performances. While the team boasted a strong lineup on paper, including experienced players and explosive hitters, they struggled to find rhythm during crucial matches. Key players who were expected to deliver in high-pressure situations failed to convert their starts into significant scores.
The middle order also lacked the firepower to accelerate in the death overs, making it challenging for India to post or chase competitive totals. This inconsistency meant that even when they were in a good position, they couldn’t capitalize, leading to underwhelming results against top teams.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 150 runs across 4 matches at an impressive average of 150, which included 2 half-centuries. However, the other batters failed to live up to expectations, with Shafali Verma managing 97 runs, Smriti Mandhana 75 runs, Jemimah Rodrigues 68 runs, and Richa Ghosh contributing just 19 runs.
2. Subpar fielding efforts
Fielding is often regarded as a game-changer in T20 cricket, and India’s efforts in this department were far from ideal. Throughout the group stage, the team was plagued by costly mistakes, including dropped catches, misfields, and missed run-out chances.
Against powerful opponents like Australia, these errors proved to be decisive, gifting extra runs and relieving pressure off the batters. Effective fielding not only prevents runs but also builds momentum and boosts morale; unfortunately, India’s lapses meant they couldn’t sustain pressure on their rivals, allowing games to slip away from them.
Harmanpreet, Richa, and Asha Sobhana struggled in the field, with each contributing to India’s fielding woes. Richa dropped a catch, while Harmanpreet and Sobhana missed two catches each. In addition to these dropped chances, India also failed to capitalize on a few run-out opportunities.
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3. Lack of aggressive leadership and strategy
Strategic errors and a conservative approach on the field were noticeable throughout India’s campaign. While there were moments of brilliance, the overall captaincy lacked the attacking mindset necessary to take control of matches. Decisions around bowling rotations, field placements, and game plans seemed defensive, particularly in tight situations.
Rather than dictating the flow of the game, India found themselves on the back foot, reacting to the opposition’s moves. In high-stakes tournaments like the World Cup, proactive and bold leadership is crucial, and India’s lack of it became a key factor in their early exit.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
