Strangely, none of the subcontinent teams reached the semi-finals of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup. The tournament was held in conditions familiar and almost identical to those in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, yet all four teams performed poorly. The semi-finalists are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and West Indies.
The reigning Asia Cup T20 Women’s champions, Sri Lanka, were the worst performers, losing all four of their matches. Bangladesh, the tournament hosts, lost three out of four games. Their performance would have been even more disappointing had they played this poorly on home soil, in front of their fans. Pakistan showed little resistance, never really threatening their opponents at any stage of the tournament.
Preserving the India-Pakistan contest’s prestige
People turn up in large numbers to watch an India-Pakistan match expecting a strong contest. The men’s India-Pakistan matches are huge draws, thanks to the intense contest they produce. If Pakistan’s women’s team are not able to lift their standards, the glitter of India-Pakistan women’s matches will be lost forever. An India-Pakistan match is the biggest revenue generator, drawing maximum viewership, but that appeal depends on both teams being competitive.
Paying the price for one misstep
India paid the price for not taking the New Zealand match seriously. They hardly expected New Zealand to adapt to the conditions better than them. Although India made a desperate attempt to get back into contention, they fell short. In a World Cup where every team puts forward their best game, even a small mistake can prove to be costly.
Adapting to the heat
It was impressive to see teams like Australia, New Zealand and England adapt to the heat here and still perform at their best. Had they struggled and cited the heat as a reason, it would have been understandable. Most matches were played in hot and humid conditions, something that the subcontinent teams regularly face. A top-class professional team adapts to such conditions quickly. It makes one wonder whether the subcontinent teams had trained adequately to perform well under such heat.
Fitness on display
It was evident that the subcontinent teams were not as fit as their opponents. Fitness plays a crucial role in T20 cricket, whether it’s sprinting between the wickets or making sharp stops in the field. A fitter team is better equipped to handle the challenges of the game.
Dropping simple catches
Dolly catches were frequently dropped by the subcontinent teams. In a World Cup, even difficult or half-chances need to be converted into wickets. Some of the dropped catches were embarrassing, damaging the credibility of the tournament. If people are to come out and watch the women’s World Cup, fielding standards must improve.
Consequences of poor performance
It’s a known fact that subcontinent teams bring in maximum viewership. If none of these four teams made it to the semi-finals, it could have serious consequences for women’s cricket. With women cricketers now earning salaries close to those of their male counterparts, it’s essential that they also entertain the fans.
Women’s cricket is growing, but for it to become more popular, all teams must be competitive. Australia, having won the World Cup six times and reached the semi-finals nine times, is doing something right. If other teams can’t match or catch up with them, it’s time to reassess their training methods and skill development.
