India’s journey in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup came to a disappointing end as they were eliminated in the group stage for the first time in eight years.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, the team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, struggled to maintain consistency and ultimately finished third in Group A.
Their fate was sealed following a narrow nine-run defeat to Australia, and then by New Zealand’s subsequent victory over Pakistan, which confirmed India’s exit.
This marks a significant setback for a team that has historically been a strong contender in women’s cricket.
Here are three reasons behind India’s early exit from the tournament.
1. Inconsistent Performance
India’s performance throughout the group stage was marked by inconsistency. They managed to secure victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka but faltered against stronger teams like New Zealand and Australia.
The opening match against New Zealand was particularly damaging, where India lost by 58 runs, setting a negative tone for their campaign.
This inconsistency ultimately resulted in India finishing third in Group A with just four points, failing to qualify for the semifinals for the first time in eight years.
2. Missed Opportunities Against Australia
The match against Australia was pivotal for India’s chances of advancing. India lost by a narrow margin of nine runs, despite a valiant effort from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 54 runs.
The team struggled to maintain momentum during crucial phases of the match, failing to capitalize on strong starts and losing wickets at critical moments.
This loss left India reliant on other results, specifically needing Pakistan to defeat New Zealand to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s subsequent collapse against New Zealand further sealed India’s fate.
3. Dependence on Key Players
India’s reliance on a few key players, particularly Harmanpreet Kaur, became evident during the tournament.
While Kaur’s performances were commendable, the lack of consistent support from other batting order members hindered the team’s overall effectiveness.
For instance, Smriti Mandhana poor form—scoring only six runs against Australia—was detrimental during crucial matches.
Additionally, the bowling unit faced challenges in maintaining pressure against top-order batters from other teams, leading to missed opportunities for taking wickets when needed most.
