Women’s T20 World Cup: Deepti takes inspiration from India men’s team, eyes title
India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma said that she is motivated by the T20 World Cup triumph of the men’s team as the women’s team take part in the marquee tournament.
Deepti also admitted that they are not under pressure to win their maiden women’s World Cup title. The Indian men’s team broke the 11-year-long wait for an ICC title as they lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados on June 29. The hopes will be high from the women’s team as well as they aim to break the knockout jinx this time.
“I wouldn’t say pressure because the World Cup is a big event for each and every player, but personally I’m motivated with the men’s World Cup they took home,” Deepti told ESPNcricinfo. “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.”
India aim maiden Women’s World Cup title
The Indian team lost the final against Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They suffered another heartbreak in the 2023 edition as Australia yet again got the better of India and this time in the semi-final in South Africa. Australia went onto win their 3rd straight and 5th T20 World Cup title and the defending champions will enter the contest as hot favourites.
Deepti acknowledged the impact the ODI World Cup 2017 had on women’s cricket in India when Mithali Raj-led side reached the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground. It was from then that the popularity of women’s cricket grew in India with the team having a brilliant tournament, barring the loss in summit clash against England.
“How we played the finals in 2017, suddenly everything was changed,” said Deepti. “Personally it feels really good because the fans, they know I’m Deepti Sharma. It’s difficult to go out in the mall or walking down some streets.
“Winning T20 World Cup will change things”
Deepti said that if the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side manage to win the T20 World Cup 2024, then it would change a lot of things.
“It’s a great feeling from the 2017 World Cup final and obviously if we win the World Cup things will really change from every perspective and each woman will want to play cricket after that, so I’m hoping for the best.”
“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’.”