"I am very confident that this team will win the World Cup" - S Sreesanth on India's strengths ahead of 2024 Women's T20 World Cup campaign

S Sreesanth has expressed confidence about India winning the ongoing 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. He highlighted the squad and coaching staff's all-round strength, as well as the confidence they have exhibited heading into the tournament.

India are placed in Group A, alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Women in Blue begin their campaign against the White Ferns in Dubai in the second game on Friday, October 4.

During an interaction on Star Sports, Sreesanth was asked about India's biggest strength heading into the tournament.

"This squad is really brilliant. First of all, I will say the captain to the entire team. The supporting staff is so great and more than that, Amol bhai (Muzumdar), who is the coach, he is a beautiful human being and a great personality. So I have full belief the team will return after winning the World Cup," he responded (0:45).

"I also watched the press conference where the coach and captain Harmanpreet (Kaur) were extremely confident. Especially when they were asked about Australia, they said if their team plays to their full potential, they will defeat any team, and that's the truth. It's all about the belief system. I am very confident that this team will win the World Cup," the former India pacer added.

India head into the T20 World Cup on the back of a loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final. However, they won both their warm-up games, against the West Indies and South Africa respectively, and will hope to continue the winning momentum in the main tournament.

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"This team does not have any disadvantages or minus points" - S Sreesanth on the biggest challenge for India

India were eliminated in the semi-final of the last T20 World Cup.

In the same interaction, S Sreesanth was asked about the biggest challenge for India in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup.

"I always believe you have got to believe in your routines and your work ethic. So I don't see any challenge. If someone is challenging you, we have so much talent in our team, from the opening batters to the middle order. Even in the lower order, we have got all-rounders who can hit sixes. So I have a strong feeling that this team does not have any disadvantages or minus points," he replied (1:35).

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Harmanpreet Kaur and company should focus on themselves rather than worrying about other teams.

"More than focusing on other teams, I would love to focus on our Indian team and not worry about any cricket team. It's just another batter and another bowler who is coming at you. If the Indian team plays to their full potential, I don't see any challenge for them," Sreesanth observed.

Sreesanth picked New Zealand and Australia as the two teams that could challenge India in the group stage. However, he added that Amol Muzumdar and Harmanpreet won't care which team they are playing against.