India women will play New Zealand in their tournament opener in Dubai on October 4.
New Zealand reached the finals in 2009 and 2010 but last advanced to the semi-finals in 2016. Meanwhile, India finished second in 2020 and advanced to the semi-finals in the previous edition.
Ahead of India Women’s opening match, the BCCI shared a heartwarming video in which the families of the team members wished the players and team all the best.
Players and support personnel from the India women's cricket team sat back and watched their families give them warm wishes from home. In heartfelt video messages, the families of every player on the team wished them luck and encouraged them to bring the World Cup home.
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur were enjoying the video greetings, with the India opener visibly emotional as she watched her parents and brother wish the squad success. Smriti's brother even mocked her by giving her cheeky advise for handling tight conditions in the T20 World Cup.
Coach Amol Majumdar's wife and daughter made it special by recognizing the support staff's efforts in the buildup to the T20 World Cup.
"Hi Smriti, we wish you all the best for the upcoming World Cup. We just wanted to let you know and the entire team that we are super proud of you for the hard work you put in and day out. Wishing Team India all the best. Go girls, all our champions and we as parents are there with love, support, and prayers,” Mandhana’s family said.
“And on a lighter note, Smriti, if you feel a little pressure, just close your eyes and sing Laka Laka Laka Laka Laka Laka. And hopefully, everything will be fine,” Mandhana’s brother teased her.
"I am really proud of my daughter Shayan's team for being selected for the first T20 World Cup. Congratulations Shreyanka, all the best Team India.
Shafali aur poori T20 team ko dhere saari shubhkamanye. Didi jaise U-19 World Cup jeete the, yeh World Cup bhi jeet ke aana (Lots of luck to Shafali and the entire T20 team. The way you won the U-19 World Cup, win this one also),” Families of Shreyanka Patil and Shafali Verma said.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s family said: "We have faith that Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) and the entire team will make India proud. Our message is to have faith in yourselves and do our best. We are with you in every match. Harman, you have all the skills of a good player and captain. Every time you step on the field, we feel very proud."
Families of other players were also featured in the emotional video, which had the players shedding tears and smiling.
Here is the video: