India's performance in every Women's T20 World Cup

India has faced an unlucky exit from the T-20 Women's World Cup. Even after a strong display of performance against the Sri Lanka Women's Team, India failed to win a much-needed match against Australia. 

Their hopes had already been severely damaged in the first stage by a crushing defeat to New Zealand. But New Zealand has once again defeated Pakistan handily, providing India with an escape route.

India had never taken home the trophy before. However, many believed that this team had a chance to win the championship for the first time. Limiting to the semi-final stage seemed like the only aim for the team, but this time the team had high hopes. Names like Smriti Mandhana and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur were supposed to carry the major burden, in major rather than most important occasions!

The team coached by Amol Majumdar, and led by Harmanpreet Kaur, failed again, making their 4th Group stage exit. 

At points, when the fans may point fingers at the Pakistan Cricket team for their poor fielding, it is Team India's discredit to wait for some other team to qualify.

Performance Chart

To be honest, one shouldn't mind much if they get the "chockers" title! India finished in the top four position five times in 9 editions of the tournament. 2020 has to be their best run, as they had a podium finish. But that's all. A trophy is yet a dream, with no predictions of a good fortune.

However, here is a summary of India's overall performance in the World Cup.

2009: A Promising Start Ends in Heartbreak

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup started just two years after the men's one, in 2009. 

Led by the bowling queen Jhulan Goswami, India made a good impression in the tournament. Placed in Group B alongside England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, India won two of their three group matches but was defeated by England. India finished third in the Super Six.

They got the semi-final spot but were defeated by New Zealand, thus missing the finals abruptly. India’s campaign in 2009 highlighted the emergence of players like Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra.

Key stats of India Women at the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup

• 234/5 against Australia was the highest team total.
• 247 runs scored by Mithali Raj was the most number of runs scored by a player.
• 76 by Anjum Chopra against Australia was the highest individual score by a player.
• 5 half-centuries were by a player.
• 5 half-centuries were scored by Indian players.
• 12 wickets taken by Priyanka Roy was the most number of wickets taken by a player.
• 4/14 by Priyanka Roy against the West Indies was the best bowling performance by a player.
• 6 dismissals by Anagha Deshpande was the most number of dismissals by a wicketkeeper.
• 4 dismissals by Sulakshana Naik against the West Indies was the most number of dismissals by a wicketkeeper in an innings.
• 5 catches by Jhulan Goswami and Amita Sharma each was the most number of catches taken by a player.

2010: Consecutive Semi-Final Heartbreak

The 2010 edition was held in the West Indies, and India once again showed early signs of excitement. They made their way to the semifinals, but luck didn't favor them. 

They were outclassed by Australia, who went on to win the tournament. India was consistent throughout, but the defeat added another bitter experience to their diary.

2012: Group Stage Exit

An unexpected exit from the tournament, after playing two semis, had brought the team to its rock bottom.

In the 2012 Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted in Sri Lanka, India was placed in Group A. The tournament exposed several gaps in India’s team composition and strategy.

This early exit worked as a wake-up call for Indian women’s cricket. This emphasized the need for better preparation and a more aggressive approach to intense matches. Most importantly, India should be strong enough to face teams like England and Australia.

2014: Struggles Continue at Home

In 2014, India failed to channel Asian conditions advantage and repeated the 2012 results.  Despite promising talent in the squad, India couldn’t convert their potential into results. 

2016: Another Early Exit

India accompanied teams like West Indies and Pakistan in Group B. But their run ended in the group stage again.

The third consecutive group-stage exit for India raised questions about the team’s preparation and mindset in crucial matches.

2018: A comeback that ended in the semifinals

Led by the dynamic Harmanpreet Kaur, the 2018 edition saw India bounce back with a much stronger performance. 

India stood unbeaten in the group stages. It included a dominant win against the infamous Australia. They looked like it would get its first title. But alas! A four-run defeat to England shattered their dream of the semifinals in the West Indies.

Harmanpreet’s leadership, combined with rising stars like Smriti Mandhana, gave India hope for the future. The semi-final exit might look painful, but that laid the foundation for a better future.

2020: Trophy so close, yet so far

Australia, which has always been a foe to India, witnessed India's most successful World Cup campaign so far. India won all the matches in the group stage, including once against Australia.

The ICC Women's 2020 World Cup was remarkable in many ways. Australia seeing a dominating India, and rain coming in aid to the team, which is not so normal for the Indians!

Rain God blessed the Indians with an abandoned semifinal, leading to a direct qualification to the finals.

But the dream shattered in front of Australia's mammoth total of 185. India looked like a letdown to them, being bowled out within 99.

Hearts got broken. A dream that was knitted with love and care was demolished within a day!

India reached the podium as a runner-up, a consolation prize to wannabe winners!

2023: Used to with Semi-Final heart-aches

South Africa hosted the 2023 edition, and India choked again, in the country of the ultimate chockers!

A closely fought match ended in a 4-run defeat against the age-old evil Australia. India’s inability to overcome Australia in knockout games was becoming a recurring theme.

An Indian has to be sporting enough to admire the Aussies after the tons of heartbreaks this country has given!

However, India, leaving the mark by whiskers, became an irresistible habit. India’s journey in the Women’s T20 World Cup has been one of near-misses and heartbreaks, but their consistent presence in the semi-finals shows that they are perennial contenders, failing to channel their talents to the right stage.

2024: An unexpected group stage exit

The 2024 squad looked strong and had full potential to win the trophy. But an early defeat against New Zealand by 58 runs had dropped India into a tricky situation. India almost overcame it but lost to their age-old rival Australia by 9 runs.

This made India depend on New Zealand losing big to Pakistan. However, New Zealand won against Pakistan by 54 runs, crushing India's dream of reaching the semifinal.