India’s exit from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 has been a devastating blow for fans and players alike. Despite coming into the tournament with high hopes, the Women in Blue struggled to find consistency throughout their campaign, marking their earliest exit in eight years. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, faced immense pressure, but ultimately faltered in critical moments, raising concerns about their ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
India's campaign began on a disappointing note with a heavy defeat to New Zealand, where they lost by a 52-run margin. This put India in a vulnerable position, with their path to the semifinals already looking difficult. The batting collapse against New Zealand underscored India's struggles in adapting to the conditions, as the top order failed to make a significant impact. Smriti Mandhana, one of India's key batters, struggled for form throughout the tournament, while the middle-order showed inconsistency under pressure.
After their opening loss, India managed to stay alive in the competition by securing a win against Pakistan in a hard-fought match. Arundhati Reddy's three-wicket haul played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan to a modest total of 105/8. However, India’s chase was far from convincing, with their batters taking 18.5 overs to secure the win, which highlighted their difficulties in pacing their innings and building partnerships.
In their next match, India found some momentum with a dominant performance against Sri Lanka. Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana both scored half-centuries, leading the team to a commanding 82-run victory—India’s largest margin of victory in T20 World Cup history. This win boosted their net run rate and provided hope for a semifinal spot. However, this optimism was short-lived as the defending champions, Australia, proved too strong in a must-win game for India.
India’s match against Australia was a closely fought contest, with Harmanpreet Kaur once again leading from the front. Her unbeaten 54 kept India in the game, and a solid 63-run partnership with Deepti Sharma brought India within touching distance of victory. However, Australia’s experience and composure in high-pressure situations shone through. Grace Harris top-scored for Australia with a vital 40, and Annabel Sutherland's superb final over sealed India’s fate, handing them a narrow nine-run defeat.
With their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread, India’s fate was finally sealed when New Zealand defeated Pakistan. New Zealand’s clinical performance in that match not only eliminated Pakistan but also knocked India out of the tournament. New Zealand, who had not reached the semifinals since 2016, were sharp in the field, pulling off crucial run-outs and taking key wickets at critical moments. Their aggressive bowling attack, led by Kerr, ensured that Pakistan’s chase crumbled under pressure, with Pakistan being bowled out for just 56 runs—the second-lowest all-out score in the tournament’s history.
India's third-place finish in Group A, behind Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the gaps in their preparation and execution. While the team had some standout performances, particularly from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, and Deepti Sharma, their inability to perform consistently across matches proved to be their undoing. The losses to both New Zealand and Australia exposed issues with both their batting and bowling units, as well as their ability to handle pressure in key moments.
This early exit is reminiscent of India’s group-stage eliminations in 2012, 2014, and 2016, eras when they were still building as a T20 force. In the last three editions, India had consistently reached the semifinals, even making it to the final in 2020. The fact that they have regressed this year has led to significant introspection within the team and among cricket pundits. Questions about the team’s mental toughness, match preparation, and overall strategy have surfaced, with many believing that India needs a more aggressive approach in T20 cricket.
The disappointment of this early exit is further compounded by the fact that the 50-over Women’s World Cup is less than a year away. India’s performance in the T20 World Cup serves as a wake-up call for the team and its management to address key weaknesses before heading into another major tournament. The lessons from this campaign—particularly the need for better planning, more consistent execution, and stronger mental resilience—must be taken seriously if India is to transform from a team with potential into one capable of winning global titles.
In the aftermath of their exit, the Indian team will have a period of reflection. Harmanpreet Kaur, as captain, will undoubtedly be at the center of discussions about the future direction of the team. While her individual performances have been impressive, she will need to find ways to inspire greater consistency and resolve from her teammates. Additionally, the role of the coaching staff in preparing the team for high-pressure scenarios will come under scrutiny, especially given the way India faltered in crucial moments during this tournament.
Moving forward, India will need to evolve their game, particularly in the T20 format, where the margin for error is small, and the competition is fierce. Whether it is through tactical changes, the introduction of new players, or a more robust mental conditioning program, India must adapt to the fast-paced and unforgiving nature of T20 cricket. Only then can they truly fulfill their potential and challenge for titles on the world stage.
