India Women’s Cricket Wins Warm‑up vs West Indies Ahead of Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Warm‑up Success Against West Indies

Under the leadership of captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s team opened their pre‑tournament schedule with a clash against Hayley Matthews’ West Indies side at ICC Academy Ground No 2 on September 29. India posted 141 for 8 in the full 20 overs, a total built around a rapid 52‑run knock from Jemimah Rodrigues, who struck at a healthy strike‑rate of 130. The innings saw solid contributions from the middle order, but Rodrigues was the clear catalyst, accelerating the scoreboard during the middle overs.

West Indies struggled to chase, slipping to 121 for 8 despite a late surge. Matthews, who also bowled, claimed four wickets for just 17 runs in her four‑over spell, keeping the contest tight. Nevertheless, India’s disciplined fielding and a few crucial dot balls in the death overs secured a comfortable 20‑run victory, providing a confidence boost before the main event.

Final Warm‑up and Tournament Outlook

The second preparatory game came on October 1 against Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa at the ICC Academy Ground. While the match result was less dramatic, it allowed the squad to experiment with batting orders and test the effectiveness of spin options in Dubai’s low‑bounce conditions. Kaur rotated bowlers, giving younger talent a chance to handle pressure, and the team practiced chase scenarios that could mirror potential group‑stage challenges.

These ten warm‑up matches across The Sevens Stadium, ICC Academy Ground, and ICC Academy Ground No 2 were part of a broader schedule that ran from September 28 to October 1, giving all sixteen participating nations a chance to fine‑tune strategies. Defending champions Australia also used the window to face Sri Lanka and West Indies, indicating how vital these games are for squad cohesion.

With the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 slated to kick off on October 3, India’s final preparation came to a close. Their opening Group A fixture is set for October 4 against Sophie Devine’s New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The win over West Indies, combined with the tactical insights gained against South Africa, suggests that India has a balanced blend of experience and emerging talent ready to compete on the world stage.