Poonam Yadav Shares Optimism for India Women Ahead of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
New Delhi [India], September 25: Ahead of the much-awaited ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India Women leg-spinner Poonam Yadav shared her thoughts on the potential of the Indian women’s cricket team. India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 4 at Dubai International Stadium. Prior to the tournament, India will play warm-up matches against the West Indies and South Africa.
Speaking exclusively on Star Sports’ “Follow the Blues,” Poonam Yadav asserted that all the girls in the team are working really hard. “Coach Amol Mazumdar has focused extensively on improving the team’s fielding and fitness. He also organised a 10-day skill camp. I believe things are improving, and all the girls in the camp have been working hard. When you’re part of such a camp, you gain clarity about your playing position, who plays a key role at which position, and where you should be bowling. It helps rectify mistakes, ensuring you don’t repeat them in the World Cup. I’m confident Team India will win the World Cup,” Poonam said.
In the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Poonam Yadav was not included in India’s squad. India reached their first-ever T20 World Cup final in 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a night filled with hope for clinching the elusive title. However, Harmanpreet’s side was bowled out for 99 while chasing 185 against Australia. In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022, India once again came close to making history, reaching the semi-finals. However, Australia once more proved to be an obstacle in the final four.
In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, India has had mixed results. They lost the T20I series against Australia and England earlier this year, but Harmanpreet’s side rebounded with two consecutive series wins against Bangladesh. In July, India’s T20I series against South Africa ended in a draw. In the Asia Cup 2024, India lost the final to Sri Lanka, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan. Travelling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor. Non-travelling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra.
Doubts Revealed
Poonam Yadav -: Poonam Yadav is a famous Indian cricketer who plays for the India Women’s cricket team. She is known for her leg-spin bowling.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup -: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is a big cricket tournament where teams from different countries compete in Twenty20 (T20) cricket matches. T20 matches are shorter and more exciting.
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East. It is known for its modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
New Zealand -: New Zealand is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It has a strong cricket team that competes internationally.
Amol Mazumdar -: Amol Mazumdar is a cricket coach who helps train and guide the players. He is working with the India Women’s cricket team to improve their skills.
Harmanpreet Kaur -: Harmanpreet Kaur is a key player in the India Women’s cricket team. She is known for her powerful batting and leadership skills.
Smriti Mandhana -: Smriti Mandhana is another important player in the India Women’s cricket team. She is famous for her excellent batting.
Shafali Verma -: Shafali Verma is a young and talented cricketer in the India Women’s team. She is known for her aggressive batting style.