The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka will be the first series by Indian women cricketers after the Mithali Raj era. Earlier this month, Mithali Raj, 39, announced her retirement from international cricket after an illustrious 23-year-long career. Harmanpreet Kaur has been leading the Indian women’s team in the T20 format since 2018. He believes that now it will be easier for him and the team to move on, as he has been handed over the command of the ODI team as well.
Harmanpreet Kaur said, “When there were two different captains, sometimes things were not easy because both of us (Mithali and I) had different views. Now it is easy for me to ask them (my colleagues) what I am expecting from them. Things will be very easy for me and will be clear for my teammates as well.
Asked if she plans to use herself as a proper all-rounder in ODIs as she was not given much opportunity to bowl earlier, Harmanpreet Kaur said that she has not only played for herself, but also for her teammates. This plan has also been made for those who want to prove themselves.
Harmanpreet Kaur said, “Yes, of course, not only me… This season we have seen that Shafali is also doing well with her bowling. As a captain, I am very open with ideas. You were right when you said I didn’t get a chance (to bowl more in ODIs). But whoever is doing well this time, I will definitely give them a chance.
As a part-time bowler, Harmanpreet Kaur made a significant contribution with the ball in India’s last match. He took 2 wickets for 42 runs in 8 overs in the match against South Africa in the group stage match of the World Cup. Indian fans were shocked when Laura Woolwart and Sune Luce were not given the ball in the final overs after taking wickets. The Indian team was knocked out of the 2022 ODI Women’s World Cup after losing to South Africa. After that, she will now return to action from the T20 International match against Sri Lanka on 23 June. The Indian team has to play a series of 3 T20 and as many One Day International matches in Dambulla and Kandy.
Harmanpreet Kaur while paying respects to Mithali Raj said that there is no one who can fill the gap left by the former captain of the Indian women’s team. He said, ‘If we talk about Mithali Di, I don’t think anyone else can replace her. We all know what contribution she has made to women’s cricket. We will always miss him in our dressing room.
When asked what are the plans for her team going to play the series in Sri Lanka, Harmanpreet Kaur said, “I think this is a great opportunity for all of us to make a team. We have prepared very well in the NCA camp. The Indian women’s team had gathered for a short camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru earlier this week before leaving for Sri Lanka.
After the announcement of the Indian squad for Sri Lanka, one of the big questions was the exclusion of experienced pacers Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey and Sneh Rana. However, Harmanpreet Kaur sees the upcoming series as a good opportunity for the young cricketers.
“I think this is the time when she will take responsibility. It will be the ideal platform to perform, where she can take charge. For me this is a good opportunity where you can make a good team because Sri Lanka is not going to be an easy tour for us.