When Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur made her debut in 2009, live coverage of women’s cricket was limited. Too few games, too far away. Sponsors thought twice before participating. Empty grandstands were the norm. Most recently by her 2023, her under-19 team in India won its first World Cup. This is India’s first women’s cricket world title, with the senior team receiving the same game fees as the men’s, and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to open in her March. In an interview, Harmanpreet shares her thoughts on the development of women’s cricket, hopes for the WPL and changing mindsets of Indian women players ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. excerpt:
We have been trying to play like this (attacking cricket) for some time. I am very happy to finally see the results. Team meetings regularly discuss the need to play attacking cricket. It doesn’t matter how the pitch behaves. We must maintain a positive approach. We have to rely on our abilities. Instead of just going with the flow, I want to set specific goals when hitting. So far, this strategy has gone the wrong way. i want to fix that. Pay attention to your strike rate. Yes, in any case. We are ready to fail. It never stops us. Trying something new in the field may not bring immediate success. But day by day we want to be better. There may be odd days when things don’t go according to our plans. We want to learn from this. Recently, the batting line-up has become longer and the cushions have increased, which is also motivating me to seize opportunities.
Support led by Hrishikesh Kanitkar What is the role of his staff?
I have previously worked with him (Kanitkar) with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and the Sri Lanka Tour. The kind of trust he gives us is a very important one. Talking about skills and technique is not the most important thing (at this level), but it is important to give confidence and support the players. he totally understands that. We were always looking for someone who could keep a cool head. he brings it to the dressing room. It is very easy (in difficult situations) to panic or lose focus. He speaks very little, but when he does we listen to him. Everyone on the team pays attention when they speak. The way we speak, the words that the way we speak stay with us.
Our bowling coach (Troy Cooley) is also very positive. In general, they are the ones who guide our training and backroom planning. They keep the atmosphere light, but serious. Everyone enjoys this. Doing the same thing can get boring at times, but they keep it interesting.We are lucky to have such a support staff.
Young players Vedika, Anjali and Amanjot took their chances with both hands.
Getting used to the conditions before a tournament like the World Cup always plays a big role. Credit goes to BCCI for planning the tour in this way. You’ll face two of his teams (South Africa and the West Indies) who are active on the world stage. This 3 series will help you come up with the right team pairings for the World Cup.
Tell me about women’s IPL… How big will it be, not just for Indian cricketers, but for women’s cricket in general?
We have seen men’s cricket improve after her IPL. The emergence of talent seen in men’s cricket can also be seen in women’s cricket (after WIPL). It will become very famous not only in India but all over the world. Thanks to the competition, we see a lot of young talent. What is the biggest difference WPL makes?
It can close the gap between domestic and international cricket. It is very difficult for young players (from domestic cricket) to join teams directly (from domestic cricket) and face these hurdles in international cricket. I hope those situations change after . Players feel ready for international cricket. We have seen the impact of WBBL and The Hundred on women’s teams in Australia and England, can the WPL do the same for India?
If you try new things at the international level right away, your chances of success will be low. But when you have a good match at the WPL, play against international cricketers, and share a changing room, things are different. I don’t feel the extra pressure of facing these cricketers in difficult conditions in international cricket.It’s hard to close the gap with the top teams because we’ve played poor quality matches so far, but Now you can gain more experience. Playing more games can reduce errors in pressure situations. If I win a game for my team in the IPL, I am confident that I can repeat it at the international level.
Is the financial aspect an added benefit?
Players always need that security. We have seen how his cricketer’s life changed after the IPL. You have something to rely on. Sponsors and brands such as Puma will support you. Only male cricketers have the endorsement of bigger brands, but things may be different now.If you have additional financial support, strive to do more. Don’t be afraid to choose sports as your career.
PUMA is known as a brand that supports athletes around the world. What is your role as the new brand ambassador?
That’s a big deal for me. I never dreamed that one day I would be involved with Puma. Being endorsed by such a big brand is always motivating. My partnership with Puma grows stronger every day. I’m sure it will move the hearts of many young girls.
Her thoughts on the changing landscape of women’s cricket…
Looking back, I am filled with great satisfaction. When I started, there was nothing really to look forward to. But the amount of support we get from our fans, BCCI, and big brands has changed our lives. I have nothing but gratitude for those who have supported me throughout my career and who have supported me in any situation.