India women's cricket vice-captain Smriti Mandhana said the national squad is in good shape for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
The team's readiness is critical as they enter a high-stakes global tournament following a challenging preparation period in England. The squad must balance the momentum of individual performances with the need to overcome collective failures from recent series matches.
Mandhana addressed the team's status following a series in Leeds. While some reports suggested a dominant run in the city, official records indicate the team faced a setback during the T20I series against England. Mandhana said the squad must adapt quickly to these results before the global competition begins.
"We have to regroup quickly and take the lessons from the England series into the World Cup," Mandhana said.
The 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on 12 June 2024 [2]. The tournament will feature 12 teams competing for the title [1]. Mandhana said the current state of the players is sufficient for the demands of the 12-team format [1].
Preparation in Leeds served as a final testing ground for the roster. The vice-captain said the experience gained from the England series, regardless of the final score, provides the necessary data to refine their strategy. The focus now shifts to mental recovery and tactical adjustments to ensure the team can bounce back on the world stage.
“"The players are in good shape for the 12-team tournament."”
The contrast between the team's perceived readiness and their actual performance in the England series suggests a volatile entry into the 2024 World Cup. By focusing on 'lessons' rather than the defeat, the leadership is attempting to maintain squad morale while acknowledging tactical gaps that must be closed before June 12.
