Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Women’s World Cup winners extend heartfelt wishes as Men in Blue begin title defence
As the Indian men’s cricket team gears up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, strong words of encouragement are flowing in from the Indian women’s team, highlighting the unity and shared spirit within Indian cricket. Fresh from their historic ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025, members of the women’s team have come forward to back the men’s side as they prepare to defend their world title.
The Men in Blue enter the tournament as defending champions, having lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 after a thrilling final victory over South Africa. With expectations high and the spotlight firmly on the team, the messages from the women’s squad have added an emotional and motivational boost ahead of the marquee event.
Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the support, expressing complete faith in the men’s squad. She urged the team to play with passion and enjoy the game, stating that belief and commitment would take them far in the tournament. Her message reflected confidence in the team’s ability to handle pressure on the world stage.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana also shared her best wishes, praising the men’s team for their strong form. While acknowledging the expectations that come with being defending champions, she stressed the importance of playing fearless and positive cricket, hoping for another memorable World Cup run.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma, who played a key role in India’s Women’s ODI World Cup win and was named Player of the Series, highlighted the special significance of the tournament being held in India. She described the event as emotional and historic, urging the team to bring the trophy home in front of home fans.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh also extended her support, wishing the men’s team success and good fortune as they prepare for the global challenge.
The Indian women’s team’s messages underline the strong bond between the men’s and women’s sides, especially after their landmark World Cup victory in 2025, which marked India’s first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title.
While the men’s team is set to begin its T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on Saturday, the Women in Blue are preparing for a demanding multi-format tour of Australia starting February 15. The tour will include a three-match T20I series, followed by three ODIs and a one-off Test match.