Women’s T20 World Cup: Harmanpreet happy to tick all boxes

The feeling of near misses has haunted Harmanpreet Kaur for long but the Indian captain feels that her team has ticked all the boxes in its bid to cross the line in the Women’s T20 World Cup beginning in the UAE from October 3. Since the tournament’s inception in 2009, India have managed to reach the final only once — in 2020, when they lost to Australia. India also played the ODI World Cup final in 2017. Harmanpreet was in the team on both occasions, in fact, leading the side in 2020.

“This is the best team we are going forward with. The players have been together for a long time. We came so close last time and lost in semis (2023). We have ticked all the boxes in terms of preparation compared to the small things that were not there in the earlier editions,” said Harmanpreet.

India have not had game time since the end of July when they surprisingly finished runners-up to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. They had an extensive preparatory camp at the NCA. The players spent a lot of time on fitness and fielding, areas in which the team has been found wanting in the past.

“During the Asia Cup, we played good cricket, one odd day, things did not go to plan,” said Harmanpreet.

Harmanpreet has been part of all the T20 World Cups till date, but feels that she is still as excited as she was at her first World Cup. “I know I have played so many World Cups but I have the same excitement as I had when I was 19,” the 35-year-old skipper said.

The main challenge will come from England and Australia, who have found a way to beat India in ICC events even from difficult situations.

“We can beat any team and Australia know that very well. They know if there is one team that can beat them it is us,” said Harmanpreet.

Head coach Amol Muzumdar shed more light on the team’s focus areas during the training camp in Bengaluru. “We did identify a few things (after the loss to Sri Lanka) and went about it in the subsequent camp. We first had a fitness and fielding camp. Then we had a 10-day skills only camp. We focused on enhancing athletic ability and all-round fielding abilities,” he said.

“There were yoga sessions and psychological sessions. We brought in a sports psychologist (Mughda Bawre). She has been fantastic with the group,” he added.

On the lack of game time, he said: “We are prepared for everything. In the skills camp, we had nets and five games in 10 days. We have ticked all the boxes as far as preparation is concerned.”