After a successful culmination of the Women's U-19 T20 World Cup, cricket fans around the world are now gearing up to witness the eighth edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in South Africa. The multi-national tournament will begin on February 10, 2023, with the final slated to be played on February 26, 2023. The onus will now be on the Indian senior women's team to replicate the heroics of the U-19 side. The marquee competition will be staged across three venues - Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha - in South Africa.
A total of 10 teams have been divided into two groups of five teams each. India have been placed in Group 2 along with England, West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland while defending champions Australia are placed in Group 1 alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Ahead of the World Cup, we take a closer look at Team India's display at the ICC tournament in the previous editions.
Women's T20 World Cup 2009: Semi-final
The inaugural edition of the women's T20 World Cup took place in 2009, two years after the first edition of the men's tournament was staged. The inaugural women's T20 World Cup was hosted by England and hosts sizzled in a familiar setting before securing the crown. India played four matches in the tournament, winning two and losing as many games before bowing out of the competition in the semi-finals. New Zealand ended India's campaign in the last-four stage.
Women's T20 World Cup 2010: Semi-final
India endured another heartbreak in the semi-finals as they were eliminated by eventual champions Australia in the last-four stage in the 2010 edition of the competition. Just like in 2009, India played four matches in the tournament, winning two while enduring defeats in the other two games.
Women's T20 World Cup 2012: Group stage
In 2012, the women's T20 World Cup was staged in Asia for the first time as Sri Lanka hosted the multi-national tournament. Under the leadership of Mithali Raj, India performed poorly and couldn't get out of the group stage. India played three matches in the 2012 edition of the competition and ended up losing all the fixtures. Meanwhile, Australia clinched their second consecutive World Cup title.
Women's T20 World Cup 2014: Group stage
After failing to win even a single match in 2012, India's fortunes didn't change even in 2014. The 2014 women's T20 World Cup was staged in Bangladesh and India played five matches and could register wins in only three games. As a result, India failed to come out of the group stage while Australia completed the hat-trick of World Cup titles.
Women's T20 World Cup 2016: Group stage
After failing to make an impact in consecutive World Cups, a lot was expected from Team India, who were playing the 2016 edition of the tournament at home. But the weight of expectations seems to take a toll on India's performance. India played five matches and lost four of those fixtures before bowing out of the group stages once again. West Indies ended Australia's reign and clinched their first T20 World Cup title.
Women's T20 World Cup 2018: Semi-final
India arrived in West Indies for the 2018 women's T20 World Cup under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur. India managed to come out of the group stage but their campaign came to a halt when England registered an eight-wicket win in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Australia went on to clinch their fourth World Cup title.
Women's T20 World Cup 2020: Final
Team India's best performance at the T20 World Cups came in 2020 when the competition was staged in Australia. The Women in Blue stormed into the final but their run was stopped by hosts Australia, who clinched their fifth World Cup title. Interestingly, India qualified for the final on the basis of their group stage performance as the semi-final clash between the Women in Blue and England was washed out due to rain.
List of Winners of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
The Indian women's cricket team has been participating in the first Women's T20 World Cup since its inception in 2009. The Indian team reached the final in the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time. Earlier in this tournament, the Indian team has done its best by playing semi-finals in 2009, 2010 and 2018. Below is the list of ICC Women's World Cup winners from 2009 to 2023.
Years | Winner | Runner-up | Host Country |
2009 | England | New Zealand | England |
2010 | Australia | New Zealand | West Indies |
2012 | Australia | England | Sri Lanka |
2014 | Australia | England | Bangladesh |
2016 | West Indies | Australia | India |
2018 | Australia | England | West Indies |
2020 | Australia | India | Australia |
2023 | TBD | TBD | South Africa |
India has also hosted the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2016 and the tournament was won by the West Indies by defeating Australia. That is, the West Indies team reached the final for the first time and became the World Cup winner. Only 3 countries have won the 7 Women's Cricket World Cups played so far, in which Australia has won the most 5 World Cups.