This time, in South Africa, Harmanpreet will once again lead the Women in Blue in the upcoming edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Team India is still waiting for its first title.
The most successful team in the tournament’s history is Australia, who have won the title 5 times.
Since the inception of the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009, India has only made it to the final once – in 2020 – under Harmanpreet’s coaching.
‘You can’t take any team lightly’: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup
This time India are placed alongside England, Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies in Group B. The Women in Blue will kick off their World Cup campaign against arch rivals Pakistan on 12 February at Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Ground .
Harmanpreet Kaur (photo TOI)
As the team prepares for the mega tournament, TimesofIndia. com sat down with Indian skipper Harmanpreet to talk about the team’s World Cup plans and potential title chances, key players including Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh as favorite wicketkeeper, young sensation and U-19 T20 World Cup winning captain Shafal Vermathe influence of Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni on her and much more…
What was the most important thing you learned as captain of India?
The amount of responsibility I received day after day. This is the most important thing and it keeps me motivated. Every day is special to me. Leading a team is a great achievement for any cricketer. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to lead my country. The support I have received from Indian media, fans and brands like Puma, these things motivate me to do well.
India came in second as of 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup when you were captain Once again, you will lead the team. Whatare the plans?
The Tri-series (in SA – India, SA and WI) helped us build the squad ahead of the World Cup. Before the World Cup we wanted to play a tournament like this (Tri Series) that could help us build the team. We just wanted to do well in the tournament. This was something very important to all of us. We must continue to do the right work that we have been discussing.
Image Credit: T20 World Cup
India defeated Australia in group stage but lost in final in 2020 edition of T20 WC. What went wrong at that moment, in your opinion?
These things happen. You can’t change what happened (in the final). We learned many things. We wanted to improve in those areas. Everyone is contributing to the game and that’s what you expect from players. We’re not putting extra pressure on anyone, but the team’s input is something we’ve discussed. In recent months we have seen some match-winners in the squad. That’s why we discussed how important everyone’s input is. It’s good to see that every single player is making an effort and doing well. This was something that was missing in the past. The contribution of each player was important and this is something (that is) visible now.
India have been drawn together with England, Pakistan, Ireland and the West Indies in Group B. How easy or difficult do you think it will be for India to qualify for the knockout stages?
I don’t think any match will be easy for us. It’s not easy for us to qualify because all the teams really want to do well on the world stage. It is important for us to do the job right and to continue to focus on certain areas. All the teams are doing very well nowadays. We just have to focus.
In your opinion, which team will pose the biggest threat to India at the World Cup this time around?
All teams are important. They’re doing really well. We cannot take any team lightly. We just want to go there and support our strengths rather than thinking about what others can do. If we can focus on what we can do, that will be key for us.
Image Credit: T20 World Cup
In terms of captaincy, which Indian cricketer (male or female) do you most admire?
For me, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni. The way they’ve led the team is something I really follow. When Sourav was leading the team, Indian men’s cricket was on the rise. The way he (Sourav) was changing the atmosphere (in the dressing room) and trusting and supporting the players.
Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, we know how smart he was on the pitch. Today, if you watch his (Dhoni’s) old match videos, you can still learn many things from him. I learned a lot from Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni. I always try to collect little things that can help me and the team on the pitch. They have played an important role in my life when it comes to captaincy.
You have almost 3000 T20I runs and a century too – which of your shots is your favorite and why?
Every run is important to a player. Ages are always important. I am always close to your heart. I give more importance to racing. Whether you score 10, 50 or 100, when you win the game for your team, when your team wins, it makes you happier. For me, winning races (those that help a team win) are always more important than individual races.
Who will be your favorite wicketkeeper at the World Cup: Yastika or Richa and why?
Both are excellent wicket-keepers and have done really well for the country. It’s hard for me to pick one but Richa did very well in the Under 19 World Cup and Yastika is doing very well in domestic cricket. Whenever she (Yastika) got the chance, she did well for the team. They both performed well and it’s hard for me to pick one, but whoever is in the best touch at the last moment and fits the combination, we’ll pick that girl.
Shafali was in great form in the U19 World Cup. You must have been happy to see him and you must hope he carries that form into the World Cup, to help India clinch the title…
Decidedly. She has been a key player for us. Every time she performs, we’re always in a better position. I just want you to keep having fun (her joke) and keep supporting yourself. Because every time she does these things, she’s in better shape. She should keep having fun (herself) and keep doing the right job. Her teammates are always there for support. She will be a key player for us and I always like to support her.
Shafali Verma (Twitter photo)
How easy or difficult is it to be an attack batsman in women’s cricket?
Nowadays cricket has totally changed. Everyone likes to play aggressive cricket. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of courage, a lot of attention and a lot of concentration. Nowadays, cricket requires an attacking batting. It’s nice to see a lot of hitters changing their batting style. They just brought that positivity into their banter. This is something I really enjoy watching.
The BCCI recently announced equal quotas for male and female cricketers. Your comments…
It is the biggest step taken by the BCCI. I am really grateful to them. This will motivate players to do well. This will also motivate and inspire other girls to pursue cricket career. This is a great initiative taken by the BCCI.
You said recently that you are looking forward to the IPL Women – the first edition will be played this year. Do you think this tournament could revolutionize the women’s game in India, just like it did for the men?
Yes sure. When the men’s IPL started, we saw immense improvement in men’s cricket. The amount of talent in men’s cricket has also increased. The same thing will happen in women’s cricket as well. We will see a lot of talent enter women’s cricket with the help of this women’s IPL. I’m really looking forward to it.
One thing the IPL has done over the years for the men’s game is give highly talented cricketers the platform they need to showcase their skills eventually helping them play for India – the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya etc. this path. Do you think the same could happen for women’s play through the women’s IPL?
Previously, there was a bridge between domestic cricket and international cricket. When the domestic cricketers, after their good showing, were given a chance on the international stage, they took time to acclimatize with the international players and conditions. It was hard for them. After the IPL, we don’t see that pressure on the players. They always have that confidence and always seem to be in good contact. And the same thing will happen in women’s cricket too.
After the start of the women’s IPL, we will see that change in women’s cricket as well. The women’s IPL will also reduce these differences in women’s cricket. When (female) cricketers share the dressing room and face them (international players) on the field in the women’s IPL and then face them on the international stage, it won’t make much difference to them and it will ease the pressure too.
If you could change one rule of international cricket, what would it be and why?
When a player hits a six out of the stadium it should count as more than six runs. Because it takes a lot of hard work and power to hit that big shot. I think the batsman should get more than six runs.
Harmanpreet Kaur (photo TOI)
(Also) when we reach a border and run a single, double, or three rides, those rides should be counted as well. Those runs can be added to that limit (four). If we can add those runs (running between wickets) before the ball hits the strings for a boundary it will be interesting.
What does Harmanpreet love to do most when he’s not playing cricket?
When I’m not playing cricket, I enjoy spending time with my family. Nowadays, we don’t have much time to spend with family. I spend time with my dogs. When I’m at home I don’t go on holidays or on trips, I just like being at home and spending a lot of time with my family. This is something I enjoy more when I am not playing cricket.
Your opinion on your association with Puma…
I am so grateful. I never thought that one day I would be associated with Puma. I was sure that the hard work I put in for so many years would one day pay off. The day has come. It’s a big day not only for women’s cricket but other sports as well.
Nowadays, I see most girls, in all sports, mostly use Puma shoes and shoes. These things have always served us on the pitch that Puma is providing. I’m really proud to be associated with Puma. The support I’ve received from them so far is fantastic. They have been so kind to me.
