Harmanpreet Kaur is ready to unleash her inner ‘Harmonster’ once again. Just days ago, she rediscovered her devastating big-hitting form against Sri Lanka in the Women’s T20 World Cup, smashing an unbeaten 52 off just 27 balls. This impressive performance comes at a crucial juncture, with India facing their arch-rivals, Australia, in a battle for a knockout berth.
India’s captain attributes her resurgence to the team’s strategic adjustments ahead of the tournament’s crucial stage. “The way Smriti and Shafali started…The most important thing was that we didn’t lose wickets in the PowerPlay. When you have wickets in hand, you can bat with a bit of freedom,” Kaur said. “My job then became about getting as many runs as possible and finishing the game as soon as possible.”
Her powerful display evokes memories of her iconic 171-run knock against Australia in the 2017 ODI World Cup semifinal. While a return to form is welcomed, Kaur is keeping the focus on the present and avoiding any unnecessary pressure. Two dedicated training sessions on the main ground, including power hitting drills, seem to have boosted the team’s confidence.
Despite the importance of the match against Australia, India’s fate isn’t entirely in their own hands. The outcome of the New Zealand vs. Pakistan match will also play a role in determining their future in the tournament. However, Kaur and her team are focused on controlling what they can: playing their best cricket. “The focus is to play our best cricket against Australia. What happens in New Zealand vs Pakistan is not in our hands and we haven’t discussed it. It’s an important game and we just want to keep things simple.”
