VVS Laxman urges India women to play with 'courage, belief, freedom' ahead of T20 WC opener vs Pakistan
Synopsis
With India's women entering the T20 World Cup on the back of an ODI World Cup triumph, VVS Laxman's call to 'play with courage, belief, and freedom' is more than a goodwill message — it is a reminder that this squad has already rewritten history once, and the pressure to do it again in a different format is very real.
Key Takeaways
VVS Laxman , head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence , posted a message of encouragement on X on 14 June ahead of India's ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener.
India face Pakistan in their tournament opener, one of the most anticipated fixtures in women's cricket.
All-rounder Sneh Rana backed the team to win a second consecutive World Cup, writing 'We have done it once, we can do it again.' India have never won the Women's T20 World Cup , making this campaign a bid for a maiden title.
Harmanpreet Kaur leads the side, which enters the tournament on the back of a historic ODI World Cup triumph.
Former India captain and BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman has sent a rousing message to the Indian Women's Cricket Team ahead of their ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan, urging the players to take the field with confidence and freedom. The message, posted on X on 14 June, comes as India begin their campaign carrying the momentum of a historic ODI World Cup triumph.
Laxman's Message to the Squad
'Best wishes to the Indian Women's Cricket Team for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Play with courage, belief, and freedom. The entire nation is behind you. Go well, enjoy the journey and make India proud,' Laxman wrote on X.
The former batter, who now oversees elite player development at the BCCI CoE, underscored the importance of embracing the occasion rather than feeling weighed down by expectations — a sentiment that resonates strongly given the scale of India's recent World Cup success.
Sneh Rana Backs Team to Repeat History
The encouragement extended beyond team management. All-rounder Sneh Rana, herself a member of the squad that lifted the ODI World Cup, added her voice to the chorus of support. 'We have done it once, we can do it again... Let's bring home another World Cup... All the best #teamindia. Let's give the country another reason to be proud of, another reason to celebrate. Go win it…' Rana wrote.
Rana's words carry particular weight — she has experienced what it takes to succeed on the biggest stage and understands the belief required to sustain a deep tournament run.
India's T20 World Cup Ambitions
Harmanpreet Kaur and her side enter the tournament with a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title firmly in their sights. India have never won the T20 edition of the tournament, making this campaign a significant opportunity to complete their collection of global honours following last year's ODI triumph.
The opener against Pakistan is traditionally one of the most anticipated fixtures on the women's cricket calendar, and India will be expected to begin with a statement performance.
Momentum and Expectations
This comes amid a broader surge in the profile of Indian women's cricket, with growing fan engagement, increased broadcast reach, and a national team that has consistently raised its standard on the global stage. Notably, the ODI World Cup win elevated expectations considerably — the squad now carries both the privilege and the pressure of defending champions' status in spirit, if not in format.
As the tournament gets underway, all eyes will be on whether Harmanpreet Kaur's side can channel the belief of their support base into a historic T20 title run.
Point of View
But they also frame the stakes accurately: India's women enter this T20 World Cup as a team expected to win, not merely compete. That shift in expectation — from plucky underdogs to defending the spirit of a World Cup triumph — is a genuine psychological challenge. Laxman's framing of 'freedom' as a virtue is telling; it suggests the coaching and support ecosystem is aware that pressure can curdle into caution. Whether Harmanpreet Kaur's side can play loose in high-leverage moments, particularly against Pakistan in the opener, will signal early whether this squad has truly absorbed the lessons of their ODI success or is still learning to carry the weight of being favourites.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did VVS Laxman say ahead of India's Women's T20 World Cup opener?
VVS Laxman posted a message on X urging the Indian Women's Cricket Team to 'play with courage, belief, and freedom,' adding that 'the entire nation is behind you.' The message was shared on 14 June ahead of India's opening match against Pakistan.
Who are India facing in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener?
India face Pakistan in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup opener. The India-Pakistan fixture is one of the most watched matches in women's cricket and is expected to set the tone for India's campaign.
Has India ever won the Women's T20 World Cup?
No, India have never won the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. This tournament represents an opportunity for Harmanpreet Kaur's side to claim a maiden T20 title after their historic ODI World Cup triumph.
What did Sneh Rana say about India's T20 World Cup chances?
Sneh Rana, who was part of the ODI World Cup-winning squad, wrote: 'We have done it once, we can do it again... Let's bring home another World Cup.' Her message reflected the confidence within the team following their recent global success.
Who leads the Indian women's team at the T20 World Cup?
Harmanpreet Kaur captains the Indian women's side at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. She leads a squad buoyed by the momentum of last year's ODI World Cup triumph.
