‘Marca el tono’: Sophie Devine explica cómo la victoria sobre India condujo al título de la Copa Mundial Femenina T20

New Zealand came to the Women’s T20 World Cup with a 1-12 record WT20Is record in 2024. With Australia and India in their group, no one even thought the White Ferns could, yet yesterday they took on the podium with a trophy in their arms. They hadn’t made the final of an ICC event since 2010 and last won a title in 2000.

Redemption

It was a redemption moment for Kiwi cricket. In the last decade, their men’s side, the Black Caps, lost back-to-back ODI World Cup Finals and then lost the 2021 T20 World Cup Final at the same venue, Dubai International Cricket Stadium. For the White Ferns, captain Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu might have played T20Is together for one last time. All three have served New Zealand Women’s Cricket for over a decade, and if this was a swansong, what a way to go.

Massive moment: Devine on beating India

After the 32-run victory over South Africa, White Ferns captain Devine was asked what she thought was the turning point for them. Since the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, New Zealand had a 5-16 record in WT20Is. The comprehensive victory over India Women was the first domino to fall, and that’s why Devine credited that win after lifting the trophy.

“It’s really hard to pinpoint one moment or one game. Probably most recently is that India game, though. I think that was probably the most complete performance we’ve had since the World Cup in South Africa, and everything did come together. As I said, it showed that belief and confidence in this group, and to put it together and to know that we could do it, I think, was a massive moment for us and helped us on our journey to being here tonight with this [trophy] ante nosotros”, Sophie Devine lo dijo en la rueda de prensa posterior al partido.

“Es difícil determinarlo porque están sucediendo muchas cosas. Quiero decir, todo el mundo piensa en los juegos, pero lo que sucede detrás de escena es algo que la mayoría de la gente no ve. Pero sí, creo que si estás hablando de la actuación, India probablemente marcó la pauta para nosotros. – concluyó.