(BCCI Photo)
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized that the Indian women’s team is focused on victory in every match, including the upcoming highly-anticipated Asia Cup clash against Pakistan. She noted their confidence following recent successes against South Africa in ODIs and Tests, alongside a drawn T20I series at home.
“The kind of approach we have right now, every day whenever we are going to play the matches, we are giving equal importance to all matches,” Kaur told Star Sports.
“We all are very greedy to win every game, and that is something we feel should be in a team, and this is what everyone in the team is feeling,” she added.
India’s upcoming challenge is the Women’s Asia Cup starting on July 19 in Sri Lanka, where Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will kick off against Pakistan in Dambulla. Kaur emphasized her role as a leader, stressing the importance of keeping her team composed during high-pressure matches like these.
“When you play against Pakistan, there is a different atmosphere in both the countries. Both the countries want their team to win.
“As a player, there is a lot of pressure for us. But as a leader, it is my responsibility to make my team feel light in that environment, so that they don’t think that we are playing against Pakistan or it’s a pressure game,” she said.
The India-Pakistan rivalry is highly anticipated in both men’s and women’s cricket. However, for Kaur, it’s crucial for her team to block out external distractions and approach the match with the same focus as any other game.
“It will be important for me to make everyone feel that this is also just another game. We have to do well for the team and make the team win.
“Other than thinking about what is going on in the stadium, who are the other people cheering for? Who are they talking about? Just focus on the main things. Don’t think about the things that we can’t control,” she added.
Middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues expressed the team’s optimism and enthusiasm heading into the Women’s Asia Cup.
“The enthusiasm is really high, and that’s always been the scene. It’s a nice feeling, but more than that, it’s very inspiring to know that every time we walk out on the field, we know we have the support of every single person backing us.
“It’s just about how well we prepare rather than thinking too much ahead of ourselves. About the results, it’s always about preparation.
“We know if we prepare well, we are going to go out there and do well,” she added.
