Harmanpreet Kaur confident for Women’s T20 World Cup in UAE

Harmanpreet Kaur Confident as India Prepares for Women’s T20 World Cup in UAE

MUMBAI: Harmanpreet Kaur has been haunted by the feeling of being close for a long time, but the Indian skipper believes her team has ticked all the boxes in preparations for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins in the United Arab Emirates on October 3.

Since the tournament began in 2009, India have reached the final only once, in 2020, where they lost to Australia. They also played in the WODI World Cup Finals in 2017. Harmanpreet was a part of both the teams and was the captain in the 2020 T20 World Cup.

“This is the best team we have going forward. The players have been playing together for a long time. For us, we came very close last time and lost in the semi-finals (2023). The preparation compared to the little things that were missing in the previous editions,” Harmanpreet told the pre-departure press conference.

India have not played since July when they finished surprise runners-up to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. They held an extensive preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), focusing on fitness and fielding, areas where the team struggled earlier.

The conference was attended by Chief Coach Musumdar and Chief Selector Neetu David.

“During the Asia Cup, we played good cricket but on an odd day, things didn’t go as planned,” noted Harmanpreet. Despite his long career, he feels as excited as he did during his first World Championship. “I know I have played in many World Cups, but I have the same enthusiasm as when I was 19,” the 35-year-old captain noted.

The main challenge will come from England and Australia, who have a history of beating India in ICC events. “We can beat any team, Australia knows that very well. If there is a team that can beat them, we know it,” Harmanpreet asserted.

Focus on athletic ability and skills

Head coach Musumdar described the team’s focus during the training camp in Bengaluru. “We identified a few things (after the loss to Sri Lanka) and we went about it in the camp that followed. First we had a fitness and fielding camp, followed by a 10-day skills-only camp. We brought in a game. Psychologist, Mukta Bawre, with his team He was wonderful.”

“We focused on improving athletic ability and all-round fielding skills. Yoga sessions and psychology sessions were included. As for the lack of game time, we are ready for everything. In the skills camp, we kept the nets and played five games out of 10 matches. We have ticked all the boxes as far as preparation is concerned. ,” he said.

Musumdar also expressed confidence in the batting department, despite lacking the firepower of teams like Australia and England. “Our top six are the best. Their styles and habits are different. We have identified the number three, but we will reveal that when we announce the eleven. In T20s, in any shape or form, the number three sets the game.”

Commenting on the conditions in the UAE, he said they are similar to those in India. “At the beginning of the season, there may be an extra bounce, especially in Dubai, but the climate will be similar to India.”

The event was shifted from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates due to ongoing unrest in the South Asian country. Chief selector David added, “We have done what is best for the team. The bench strength is also good. The shadow tours (India A tours) also help on that front.”

For the record, India A women fared poorly in Australia.