India’s women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed confidence in her team’s mental strength ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which kicks off next month. She believes that the team’s consistent work on this aspect will be a crucial factor in overcoming the hurdles they face, particularly in high-pressure situations.
India, who finished as runner-up in the 2020 edition of the tournament, are placed in Group A alongside six-time winner and defending champion Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Kaur emphasized that the team has been honing their mental fortitude for a long time, focusing on delivering their best during crucial moments, especially in the final overs of the match.
“We have been working on mental strength for a long time. The last 3-4 overs are the most crucial. T20 cricket is not a small format; at the end of the day, you are playing 40 overs,” Kaur said. “In the last 4-5 overs, the team that is mentally strong wins the match. We have been focusing on this for a while. If we can remain mentally stable in those final five overs, we can execute what’s best for us,” she added.
India’s performances in previous finals have been a topic of discussion, with losses in the 2020 T20 World Cup final to Australia, the 2017 ODI World Cup final to England, and the Commonwealth Games 2022 final to Australia. However, Kaur believes that the team’s consistent efforts in this area will help them overcome these hurdles.
India’s campaign begins on October 4th against New Zealand, followed by their clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 6th. They will then take on Sri Lanka on October 9th and Australia on October 13th, with each of their first three group matches taking place in Dubai. Their final group match against Australia will be played in Sharjah.
Kaur also highlighted the diverse cultural backgrounds of the team’s players, which she sees as a strength, providing opportunities for personal and cultural growth. “All the players in our team come from different states. It feels good when you see so many different characters in the team. People from various states share the dressing room, and you get to learn about their cultures. I think you can only experience that in sports, not in any other career,” she said.
