NEW DELHI: Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are gearing up to face New Zealand in their opening Group A match of the Women’s T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. This marks the ninth edition of the tournament, with India still chasing their maiden T20 World Cup title. Their closest opportunity came in 2020 when they reached the final but were defeated by a dominant Australian side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Determined to put past disappointments behind them, India will look for a strong start to their campaign as they set their sights on erasing the memories of previous near-misses.
Ahead of India’s opening clash against New Zealand in Dubai, TimesofIndia.com spoke with Harmanpreet during an event hosted by Puma India. The Indian captain shared her thoughts on the team’s title prospects, potential combinations, and more. Edited excerpts:
The Indian men’s cricket team has delivered; is it now time for the women to lift the coveted trophy?
You are putting pressure on us by saying this (laughs). We are really excited and want to give our best. The team has done really well and prepared a lot for this big tournament. We will not leave a single stone unturned. We are positive, and I am confident we will come through with flying colors.
Can we expect Harmanpreet to replicate what Rohit achieved in Barbados?
Yes, hopefully. That’s our aim. As I said, we are prepared, we are positive, and we just want to go out and give our best. We always talk in the dressing room about how this is a great opportunity for us. I tell my team one thing: go and enjoy your game. That’s it.
Who do you think are two key players for India in this World Cup?
If you ask me as a captain, all players are equally important to me. They have different roles to play on the field, and I know what they can bring to the table. For me, every single player is important. Whoever is in the middle must take responsibility and win the game for us.
Have you had a chance to assess the conditions in the UAE?
Earlier, the tournament was going to be played in Bangladesh, and now it will be held in the UAE. The conditions will be tough, and I will adjust the combinations accordingly.
Could you share your thoughts on your aggressive approach on the field?
That’s quite natural. It’s not something exaggerated or out of the box. The aggression in me is natural. It drives me forward, and that’s how I’ve always been. Whenever I’m on the field, I just want to see my team win. This is the mindset I’ve played with throughout.
Would you say Jemimah Rodrigues is the most entertaining member of the team?
Yes. She is the heart of the team. She’s always cheerful and ensures the dressing room environment remains lively. She keeps a big smile on every single player’s face. It’s really good to have her on the side. It’s always great to have such players who bring energy to the team and the dressing room.
How has the WPL contributed to the growth of Indian women’s cricket?
It’s helping us a lot, just like the IPL helps men’s cricket. We’ve been waiting for this league for so many years. It’s a massive platform for all women’s cricketers. The WPL is a great stage and has brought a lot of talent to Indian cricket. I really loved playing in the WPL. Personally, this is something I’ve been waiting for a long time. Now that the platform is here, I’m enjoying every bit of it.