New Delhi

As India aims to capture their first Women’s T20 World Cup, they are also chasing a unique achievement: winning two World Cups in the shortest format across both men’s and women’s teams. Jemimah Rodrigues expressed that the excitement and drive to win were rekindled after watching the men’s team, led by Rohit Sharma, end their trophy drought by clinching the T20 World Cup with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in Barbados.

Reflecting on that moment, Jemimah said, I remember watching the men’s final during our Test match against South Africa. We stayed up late, fully engaged in the game. Witnessing them lift the trophy made our dream of winning the World Cup feel more tangible. That night, a silence fell over our usually chatty group as we absorbed the moment.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed this sentiment, noting how significant it would be for the women’s team to mirror the men’s achievement. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur added that the men’s win instilled hope for success. She stated, Winning two World Cups in one year would be a huge celebration for our country.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana emphasized the importance of focusing on the process rather than the end goal. She believes that winning the World Cup is paramount, and the team’s journey, one match at a time, is what truly matters. India’s T20 World Cup campaign kicks off against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai, followed by matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia.