Home Advantage

As you read this, the Indian women's team  will be getting ready to play the Australian women in Mullanpur for three key games ahead of the World Cup. In terms of preparation, these games hold serious significance. Australia is the best team in the world. For India, it is an opportunity to fine-tune the combination that will step out in Guwahati for the first game of the World Cup on September 30.

The home World Cup is India's best chance. Women's cricket needs its 1983 moment and with the World Cup at home and in venues where India has played a lot of its cricket, this is a golden opportunity. But the one thing that stands in the way of this team going all the way is inconsistency. Someone like Smriti Mandhana is hugely talented. She has scored runs all over the world. And yet, when it comes to the big events, she has been somewhat found wanting. The big innings has not really come on the biggest of days. Deepthi Sharma is another example. She has done well in franchise competitions around the world and yet when it comes to big events like the World Cup, she has been underwhelming. Be it in bowling or in her role as finisher, Sharma will herself admit she could have done better.

In fact, on occasions, it has been Harmanpreet  Kaur who has played a lone hand and that's what India will have to counter. Players like Jemima Rodrigues or Richa Ghosh, not to forget  Harleen Deol, have serious talent. Richa is one of  the most powerful hitters of the cricket ball and yet when most needed, she hasn't really delivered.

The same can be said of India's bowling. With Renuka Thakur back and with Kranti Goud doing well, there is much promise in the pace bowling department. Spin, too, is in safe hands with Deepthi, Shree Charani and Radha Yadav. But in all this, it is the ability of the team to deal with pressure that is the real question mark. 

India has lost key matches from winning positions and that's because the team has let pressure get to them. In front of packed stands at home, there will be pressure. The issue is how  they cope with it. Will they let pressure bog them down or will they use the crowd  support to feel inspired and make a statement?

Finally, to captain Harmanpreet and coach Amol Muzumdar. Harman has been around for a decade and more and this is perhaps her last opportunity. It is well and truly now or never. She has played some key knocks in ICC competitions but as captain, the ledger is still barren. Having beaten England in England in July 2025, the team is full of confidence. With money no longer an issue, the team has every facility they can ask for. And yet, the performance hasn't been up to the mark in ICC events. While it isn't about money or facilities when it comes to the national team, the truth is a failed World Cup 

campaign will push the sport back in India. Against the backdrop of WPL and a lot more, there is momentum. A successful campaign will mean the sport may take a giant leap and thousands may want to play it in the future. For Harman, it is her moment. To do something that will make her immortal in the annals of the women's game. 

And for Amol, it is an opportunity to leave a mark. While he isn't one to seek or take credit, the truth is he has worked steadily with this team to get them where they are now. The World Cup is the home stretch. There can't be any further room for error and the Indians know it. Each of these girls is on the cusp of making history. Winning the World Cup on Indian soil will be the biggest achievement of their lives and redefine the way the sport is looked at in India. Few get this opportunity and now that they have it, they should make the most of it.