On the right path: Harmanpreet Kaur, receiving the trophy for winning the T20 series against South Africa, is confident of the team doing well in the World Cup as well.
Nucleus of T20 World Cup team ready: Harmanpreet Kaur
Women’s skipper is first Indian to play 100 T20Is
In front of a crowd of close to 18,000 at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium on Friday night, Harmanpreet Kaur accomplished a feat no Indian cricketer (male or female) has — a 100th Twenty20 International.
A truly remarkable hundred for the 30-year-old from Punjab, who made her T20I debut against England 10 years ago at Taunton. She is not just one of the most destructive batters the women’s game has seen, but quite literally the game-changer for the Women in Blue: her astonishing 171 not out off 115 balls against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal at Derby made people sit up and take note.
Her 100th T20I may have ended in disappointment for the India captain, though. The team lost for the first time in the series — India’s heaviest defeat in the format — and she could make just one run.
India, nevertheless, won the series 3-1 and she impressed with her captaincy. She led from the front and used her bowlers, the spinners especially – including herself – rather well. She also played a couple of significant knocks.
Her unbeaten 34 in the penultimate match showed how she could take responsibility. She curbed her attacking instincts while chasing a low score.
“Yes, I am pretty pleased with that innings,” Harmanpreet told. “Small totals can often be tricky; so I was determined to stay till the end.”
She is also happy with the way the team has fared. She has high hopes about the 15-year-old Shafali Verma, who made her international debut in the series.
“She is already one of my favourite players to watch,” Harmanpreet said. “She has given us great starts in the series. With players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali, the future of Indian women’s cricket is in safe hands.”
She is also satisfied with the team’s preparation for the T20 World Cup, to be held Australia next February-March. “We have the nucleus of that team,” she said. “And we are improving.”
Improved fielding
She is particularly glad that fielding has come a long away. “There was a time when we used to lose matches because of fielding,” she said.
“That no longer is the case. And I believe it would be nice if we could also add a sports psychologist to the support staff.”