Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma’s form key to India”s T20 World Cup hopes: Diana Edulji
India stepped into the global showpiece, scheduled to be played from June 12 to July 5, after a 1-2 T20I series defeat to tournament hosts England; Both Mandhana (40 runs) and Verma (35) hit a lean patch with the bat.
“Even though it wasn’t a very good series, we lost 2-1, we just need to focus on our opening partnership,” Edulji told PTI Video during the launch of BBC Research’s report on Indian women in sports.
“Smriti and Shafali need to get in shape quickly and once they start getting in shape, I think it will help India win (in the T20 World Cup),” he added.
Edulji stated that the idea of a tough draw is out of the question for India, who are in Group 1 alongside six-time champions Australia and even South Africa, and emphasized that T20 cricket often produces surprises due to its fickle nature.
“All the teams coming for the World Cup will be strong. You can be in any group. You have to play well that day and T20 is a format (you can be the strongest or weakest team) playing well that day but the weakest team can also play well that day and beat the strongest team,” he said.
Edulji also backed the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team to continue the momentum created by last year’s historic ODI World Cup victory and continue India’s success on the global stage. “It is necessary (for the team) to keep winning World Cups like the men have done and (you can see) how the World Cup victory in November (2025) has completely changed women’s cricket in this country,” he added.
Acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the format, Edulji said even a short delay could change the course of the match.
“Yes, T20 is a bit tough though because you can be the best team in the world on the day, but if you have a bad average or two while batting or bowling, it can change the course of the game.”
India begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 but Edulji believes the contest may not be as close as the hype around it.
“I don’t think Pakistan stands any chance against us in women’s cricket. Even though there is excitement as usual for the match, I think we are much, much better. We have never lost against them except one match in all these years and I think we will win easily,” she said.
“The Trial of the Lord is a landmark moment.”
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Looking forward to the one-off Test against England at Lord’s on July 10, which will be the first women’s red-ball match at the iconic venue, Edulji described the occasion as a turning point in women’s cricket.
This event also holds special significance for Edulji, who was denied entry to the Lord’s Villa during her 1986 tour of India due to restrictions on women at that time.
“It will be a historic day for women’s cricket as well as for Indian women. Playing at Lord’s – even though we played at Lord’s and the 2017 World Cup final was also played there – it is the best ground in the world, the Mecca of cricket.”
“It’s a good thing and I hope the girls make full use of the four or five days they have to play there and come back victorious,” Edulji said.
