New Delhi: Sports is all about competition. The harder the competition, the more thrilling the spectacle for the fans. Competition, if, healthy can be beneficial for athletes in many ways, helping them motivate, work harder and push their limits.
But if there is no competition, sports become lifeless and meaningless. For years, women’s cricket has witnessed little to no competition, especially in the T20 format. Australia and England have dominated the female cricket scene since the inception of the T20 World Cup in 2009 with the former winning the inaugural edition and the latter winning six out of nine editions.
India, on the other hand, due to their rise in recent times, entered the tournament as one of the favourites and have reached the semi-finals in the previous four editions including a final in 2020 until now.
The 2024 edition is destined to be a one-of-a-kind. There will be no England or Australia in the final of a T20 World Cup 2024 for the first time in the history of the Women’s World Cup (both T20 and 50-over)
The fact that none of the pre-tournament favourites – India, Australia and England – will go on to win the title makes the tournament all the more interesting and enthralling.
While India and England failed to progress from the group stages, Australia were knocked out by South Africa in the semi-final on Thursday, October 18.
The defending champions missed out on a record-extending eighth final appearance as the Proteas overhauled the target of 135 with 16 balls to spare, reaching their second successive summit clash in the process.
It means one of New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa will be crowned the T20 world champions on Sunday, October 20. Having won the title back in 2016, WI will look to add another silverware to their trophy cabinet but if they slip before the finishing line, the tournament will witness a first-time champion.
Why it’s good to have no Australia, England or India left in the tournament?
Even the biggest of punters would have put bets on two or at least one of Australia, England or India to enter the final. While Australia were the red-hot favourites to win their fourth successive title, the next best to win the title were England and India.
It was expected that with the kind of domestic structure and infrastructure, the ‘Big 3’ boast, other teams would be no match for none of India, Australia and England.
But behold the beauty of cricket.
In international cricket, especially in World Cups, form and reputation, often go out of the window and it is all about who turns up on the day.
Australia found that out against the Proteas on Thursday while England paid the price by not turning up against West Indies on Tuesday.
For India, it happened on two occasions – the opening match loss against New Zealand and the unconvincing win against Pakistan in the second league match.
With nothing to lose, the World Cup provides a stage for the less fancied sides to play with more freedom. That, often, helps them to play braver cricket than the heavyweights.
A winner other than England, Australia and England could boost the expansion, growth and development of women’s cricket in other parts of the world and enhance the sport’s competitiveness.
