Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of India team on Thursday said handling pressure will play a crucial role in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, something which India failed to do in the last two World Cups in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, India had finished as runners-up in the 50-overs World Cup whereas they had made a semi-final exit from the last T20 World Cup in 2018.
“We were quite close in the last two World Cups, the only thing is we have to keep in mind how to handle pressure in the tournaments, last two World Cups we lacked in handling pressure,” Harmanpreet said. “This time we want to enjoy rather than taking more pressure on ourselves, thinking that it is a big tournament. We have to avoid thinking like that and focus on giving our best.”
The T20 World Cup will take place in Australia from February 21 to March 8. India will begin their campaign against the defending champions, as well as the hosts Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the Group stage. Harmanpreet Kaur, who has played 104 T20s, said the team needs to focus on strengthening their skills instead of thinking about the pressure.
“Last few World Cups, we put ourselves under too much pressure of playing in a big tournament. This time rather thinking that we are going for a big tournament, we just want to focus on our skills, how we should play and how to make the team win,” she said. “That will be very important for us and when we focus on these things, we (will) produce better results.”
India have a strong spin-attack and this will be their strength in the upcoming mega event. On the other hand, India have a new opening pair now. The young Shafali Verma along with experienced Smriti Mandhana. However, according to Harmanpreet Kaur, their partnership will play a crucial role in the beginning – be it putting a huge score or chasing them.
“…they always give us breakthroughs. So I am looking forward to how our spinners perform there (in Australia) and see what they do for the team,” said the skipper about Indian spinners.
“They both (Smriti and Shafali) are very important for the team and they always give their best…the first six overs are going to be important for us. Good start is important for the team and whenever they get a good start, we never look back. They both have very big role to play,” she said.
Along with Shafali, India have another teenager – Richa Ghosh, the rookie batter from Bengal who earned her maiden call-up on the back of a successful domestic season. Harmanpreet said the youngster will play their natural game.
“…don’t take any pressure because if we play freely without any pressure, you will give your 100 percent. There are some players, who like to take pressure and play,” she said. “So, for me it is very important to understand how their good game comes up. We have the tri-series before the World Cup, that is going to be an advantage and how they perform in it, we will plan accordingly,” she said.
On the other hand, Harmanpreet Kaur did not have a good season with the bat last year but she wants to start everything with positivity in the new year.
“I am feeling very positive right now and very excited to see how I play in the World Cup. Performance is something that will never happen 100 percent because things don’t go in your favour always and you have to accept all those things. But I am really positive and excited,” she added.
