India vs New Zealand, Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Can India channel their inner champions in opener?

The World Cup is upon us - where hopes soar and dreams shimmer.

Friday's conquest with New Zealand will be more about exorcising the painful memories of previous near-misses for India.

First up, we have the captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. Bless her heart, this might be her swan song at the T20 World Cup. She has seen it all: the glory, the agony, and everything in between. Remember that charming capitulation against Australia in the 2020 final? Yeah, so does she. It is like a bad movie that keeps playing on repeat. As Kaur steps onto the field, one can only hope she has packed enough emotional baggage to navigate through the expected highs and lows.

This Indian lineup is like a treasure chest overflowing with talent, second only to Australia's seemingly never-ending supply of cricketing prowess. Yet, while the Aussies are hoarding six shiny trophies, India's cabinet gathers dust, at least it has great potential for future renovations.

Now, the question everyone asks: What holds India back from greatness on the world stage? It seems to be an issue of mental fortitude, or, let's be honest, a lack thereof during critical moments. The Women in Blue have tried their hand at addressing this during a preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy. While those might provide temporary relief, it is as effective as putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound when it comes to executing strategies under pressure.

But fear not! India couldn't have picked a better opponent than New Zealand. They're not exactly the favourites, but don't let their ‘underdog' status fool you, the Kiwis are like that quiet kid in school who can ace the exam while everyone's busy cramming.

A victory against them would serve as a mental boost, signaling that the team is indeed ready - tactically and mentally - for a group that also features the likes of Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Nothing says ‘we're in fine form' quite like overcoming a team that isn't considered a world-beater.

To kick off this grand quest, India will require nothing short of a miracle from its senior stars. Yes, we're looking at you, Harman (35 and counting), along with Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma. These seasoned players are the backbone of the team.

Speaking of pressure, let's talk about Mandhana and Shafali. They have both been shining bright in recent outings, lighting up the scoreboard during the Asia Cup. Mandhana's last five T20I innings feature three fifties. Meanwhile, Kaur and Shafali's performances have been as thrilling as watching paint dry. If they can't find their rhythm, India's hopes will plummet faster than one could imagine.

Weather is where the Indian bowling department might just come to the rescue. With only three pacers - Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, and Arundhati Reddy - India will likely field two of them and lean heavily on their spin attack.

India's spin department is quite the lineup, featuring off-spinners Deepti and Shreyanka Patil, leg-spinner Asha Shobhana, and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav. Talk about a buffet of spin options! But as we know, quality doesn't always guarantee success. The Kiwis, on the other hand, are not without their own arsenal of talent. With skipper Sophie Devine leading the charge, complemented by the experienced Suzie Bates and the veteran duo of Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek, New Zealand brings a mix of experience and youth to the table.

And let's not forget Amelia Kerr, the young all-rounder with enough flair to keep the Kiwis competitive. But therein lies the rub: while they have a solid core, there's a sprinkle of inexperience that could very well be their Achilles' heel. Can they rise to the occasion when the pressure's on? Who knows!

As the match approaches, the narrative builds: India, the team with a rich history but a collection of near-misses, must step up against New Zealand, who are just waiting to throw a wrench in the works. It is the classic battle of expectations versus reality.

The fans, equipped with hopes and dreams (and a fair share of skepticism), will be glued to their screens, waiting for their beloved team to finally break through the ‘glass ceiling of mediocrity'.

Here's to the clash of wills - India's quest for glory, the mental game that must unfold, and the sheer unpredictability that makes cricket the rollercoaster of emotions we love.

Buckle up, fans; it's going to be a wild ride!