India captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women's T20 World Cup: 'We can beat any team and Australia know that very well'

The India women’s cricket team has endured near-misses and heartbreaking exits in the past few editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup, but skipper Harmanpreet Kaur feels that all boxes have been ticked heading to the upcoming edition of the showpiece tournament in the United Arab Emirates. Harmanpreet also added that India can beat any team, particularly Australia.

Ever since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2009, India have only made the final once, in 2020 where they lost to Australia. At the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, India once again lost to eventual champions Australia, this time in the semi-finals. The Women in Blue had also qualified for the final of the 2017 ODI World Cup, going down fighting to England.

India, however, have not played competitive cricket since July, when they lost to Sri Lanka in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla. The players recently underwent a lengthy preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), focussing on fielding and fitness.

Also read | ‘Want to give India another reason to celebrate this year’, says Harmanpreet Kaur

”This is the best team we are going forward with. The players have been playing together for a long time. For us we came so close last time and lost in semis (2023).

”We have ticked all the boxes in terms of preparation compared to the small things were not there maybe in earlier editions,” said Harmanpreet at the pre-departure press conference in Mumbai, ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning on 3 October.

The main challenge will come from England and Australia, who have found a way to beat India in ICC events even from difficult situations. India are in Group A along with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

”We can beat any team and Australia know that very well. They know if there is one team that can beat them it is us,” said Harmanpreet.

”During the Asia Cup, we played good cricket, one odd day things did not go to plan,” said Harmanpreet, who has been part of all the T20 World Cups that have been staged till date.

‘I have the same excitement as I had when I was 19’

Harmanpreet has played so many global events in a career spanning close to decade and half but feels that she is as excited as her maiden World championship.

”I know I have played so many World Cups but I have the same excitement as I had when I was 19,” the 35-year-old skipper said.

Also see | India squad for Women’s T20 World Cup  

Focus on enhancing athletic ability in training camp

The conference was also attended by head coach Amol Muzumdar and chief selector Neetu David also made a rare appearance. Muzumdar shed more light on the team’s focus areas during the training camp in Bengaluru.

”We did identify a few things (after the loss to Sri Lanka) and we went about in the subsequent camp. We first had a fitness and fielding camp. Then we had a 10 day skills only camp. We brought in a sports psychologist also (Mughda Bawre). She has been fantastic with the group.

”We focused on enhancing athletic ability, all-round fielding abilities, there were yoga sessions and psychological sessions were added.”

On lack of game time, he said: ”We are prepared for everything. In the skills camp, we had nets and five games in 10 days time. We have ticked all the boxes as far as preparation is concerned,” said Muzumdar.

He also displayed supreme confidence in the batting department, which doesn’t have the firepower possessed by the likes of Australia and England.

”Our top six are the best. Their styles and mannerisms are different. Number three, we have identified but we will reveal that when eleven is announced. In T20s, number three sets game the up, in any form actually."

“As far as the conditions are concerned, it will be similar to India. Start of the season they could be extra bounce especially in Dubai but climate will be just like India, " he added.

The event was shifted to the UAE from Bangladesh due unrest in the South Asian nation. Chief selector David added: ”We have done what is the best for the team. The bench strength is also looking good. Shadow tours (India A tours) are also helping on that front,” she said.

For the record, India A women performed disastrously in Australia in August, losing all three T20s, one-dayers and the unofficial Test.

With PTI inputs