Confident Indian women's team leaves for New Zealand

A confident Indian women's cricket team left early on Wednesday morning from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi to participate in the CricInfo Women's World Cup to be played in New Zealand. The Indian team could well have been charged for excess baggage. For they not only carry with them the hopes and dreams of millions of Indians but also the 6 x 15 feet long banner, which has the message "HUM HONGE KAAMYAB" printed across it along with signatures of thousands of cricket fans.

The good luck banner was signed by thousands of cricket fans at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds in Delhi on the first day of the India - Zimbabwe Test Match. By this gesture, the spectators demonstrated their support for the Indian team, with aspirations of an Indian victory at the highest level.

On November 21, Kiran Bedi, Director Training - Delhi Police, signed and presented the banner to the Indian team. The other dignitaries who were present at the press conference to encourage and motivate the Indian team were former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi and George Abraham, Chairman of the Association of Cricket for the Blind in India (ACBI) and the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC).

Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Bedi said she was extremely happy to play a part in this historical event as she was confident that the Indian team would win the World Cup. She said if the girls put their minds to it there was nothing that could be termed unattainable.

Bishen Bedi lifted the spirits of the girls by sharing some useful tips that would be valuable to achieve the task set before them. George Abraham wished the Indian squad the very best in their pursuit towards glory and said "Cricket is a craze among everyone and hence should not be restricted to a privileged few". He further said, "I am glad that organisations like CricInfo are coming forward to promote cricket as a sport irrespective of who is playing it."

Among others who dropped in to wish the Indian team good luck were prominent Indian cricketers, Javagal Srinath, Yuvraj Singh and Vijay Dahiya.

The press conference was held primarily to announce the Indian team's departure to participate in the World Cup. The secretary of the Women's Cricket Association of India Anuradha Dutt, speaking on the occasion, said "The team has a good chance at the World Cup as the side was chosen well in advance with sufficient time to practice and condition the players." She added "Women's cricket in India is presently witnessing an upward swing, for not only are more girls taking up the sport but the standard of the game has also improved a lot over the years. We can today claim that the Indian women's team could match against any international team. This trend has been further boosted by corporate companies like CricInfo who have come forward to sponsor, promote and more importantly cover the matches live."

The event concluded with a question - answer session, directed at Anuradha Dutt, Sudha Shah, the coach of the Indian team and Anju Jain, the captain.