The highly-anticipated Women’s T20 World Cup is set to kick off in the UAE on October 3, 2024, and will run for an exciting 17 days, culminating in the final match on October 20. Team India is gearing up to begin its campaign in this prestigious tournament with a match against New Zealand on October 4. Following the recent triumph of the men’s team in the West Indies, the expectations for the women’s team to clinch the trophy have soared.
Importance of Warm-Up Matches
As part of their preparation, Team India will engage in two crucial warm-up matches scheduled between September 28 and October 1. The initial contest will pit India against the West Indies on September 29, followed by a showdown against South Africa on October 1. These warm-up games are paramount for evaluating the readiness of the team ahead of the competitive matches.
Recent reports highlighted potential concerns regarding the fitness of four key players due to injuries. Key pace bowlers Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy have been dealing with shoulder injuries, while right-arm spinner Shreyanka Patil has faced a fractured finger in addition to an ankle twist. Furthermore, middle-order stalwart Jemimah Rodriguez has been recovering from a finger injury. Despite these setbacks, all four players have been diligently working on their recovery, and it is anticipated that they will be fit in time for the tournament. The outcomes of the warm-up matches will provide clarity on their fitness levels and overall form, which is vital for Team Indiaโs prospects in the tournament.
Fixture Details of Warm-Up Matches
A total of 10 teams will compete in the Women’s T20 World Cup, each getting the opportunity to play two warm-up matches in the lead-up to the tournament. This means that over the span of four days, 10 warm-up matches will take place, providing all teams with a chance to finalize their strategies and team combinations.
Indiaโs first warm-up match will take place at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, followed by the second match at ICC Academy Ground No. 2. Both matches are scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST. Fans will be able to catch all the warm-up action on the Star Sports Network and via the Disney Plus Hotstar app.
The warm-up schedule kicks off on September 28 with a match between Pakistan and Scotland, along with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh. On September 29, three matches will be played, featuring New Zealand facing South Africa, India against the West Indies, and Australia competing with England. The following day, September 30, will see Sri Lanka face Scotland and Pakistan take on Bangladesh. Finally, on October 1, India will meet South Africa, alongside matches involving West Indies, Australia, England, and New Zealand.
These warm-up matches serve not only to assess the physical fitness of the players but also to fine-tune the team’s strategies and cohesion ahead of a demanding tournament. As fans gear up for the Women’s T20 World Cup, all eyes will be on Team India to see how they perform in these crucial initial games.
