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Another day, same disappointment. India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup ended in a familiar heartbreak, as the team stumbled out in the group stages, failing to live up to the high expectations placed on them. Despite the talent and potential, the side put on a lackluster display, leaving fans frustrated yet again. This early exit has not only deflated the hopes of millions but has also raised serious questions about the trajectory of Indian women’s cricket. With so much promise, the inability to deliver when it mattered most has triggered a wave of concern and introspection.
This campaign, which now seems like a recipe for disaster for Indian women’s cricket, has raised several eyebrows. The core of the team has remained unchanged for some time, yet the results show little sign of improvement. It’s the same players, but under pressure, they seem to falter repeatedly. Is this a question of skill or mindset? It’s hard to argue that someone like Smriti Mandhana lacks talent, but it does seem that the big occasions get to them. The recurring failures on critical stages suggest deeper issues—ones that demand urgent attention and solutions. There are several concerns to ponder over as India looks ahead.
Let’s look at some key reasons why India was left distraught in the UAE:
1) Mandhana’s poor form
“Smriti Mandhana is a legend of the game”.
Smriti Mandhana is the best batter of the India Women’s team”. “Smriti Mandhana is the world’s best batter.”
And yet, the left hander perished when the team needed her the most and scored just a solitary fifty during the time her India Women’s team were in this World Cup. But here is some food for thought.
Heading into the tournament, if you asked anyone which batter they were most excited about, the unanimous answer would have been Smriti Mandhana.
Yet, her numbers were dismal, to say the least. For a team heavily reliant on her quick starts, India struggled without her bat doing the talking. Apart from a lone half-century against Sri Lanka, Mandhana managed just 12, 7, and 6 in crucial games against New Zealand, Pakistan, and Australia. She never found her rhythm, looking uncharacteristically defensive at the crease. This cautious approach was out of place for India’s most explosive batter, and it left a significant void at the top.
2) Middle order chaos
India’s middle order suffered from constant tinkering, as the team kept changing its batting positions.
Initially, one notes the plan was for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to anchor at number 3, with Jemimah Rodrigues taking on the role of middle-order aggressor.
But one loss to New Zealand derailed that strategy completely.
Jemimah was shifted to number 3, and Harman, who has been far from her best lately, was dropped back to 4. This reshuffling disrupted any rhythm, leaving the team’s batting lineup unsettled and ineffective when it mattered most.
3) Lack of power-hitting
One glaring issue that has persisted across India’s campaigns in women’s tournaments is their lack of power-hitting ability.
This team was no different. If the openers didn’t provide a quick start, India struggled to accelerate, and with Richa Ghosh out of form, finding that extra gear became nearly impossible.
While the game is evolving, India has failed to keep pace in this crucial area. They still rely on players like Deepti Sharma to clear the boundary—something that has been an issue since 2017. Against Pakistan, for instance, the team needed to chase the total with urgency but played as though they were in no hurry, showing a lack of intent.
Poor approach, minimal hitting ability—this has been the story of India’s underperformance in every ICC event.
Now, what’s next?
India can’t afford to repeat the same cycle of reflection and inaction after every ICC event. There needs to be genuine change, starting with perhaps passing the captaincy baton from Harmanpreet Kaur, who has been at the helm for seven years now. It may be time to hit the reset button and adopt a more aggressive style of play—one that embraces modern cricket’s demand for power-hitting and quick scoring. India also needs to focus on fielding, becoming more agile and sharper on the ground.
This loss should serve as a wake-up call. If India can address these gaps and find their missing pieces, they have a real chance to turn things around before the next ICC event, which will be held on home soil. The potential is there; it’s just a matter of evolving to meet the game’s modern demands.
