Harmanpreet Kaur (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: The Indian women's team will begin its 2024
T20 World Cup
campaign against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday and head coach Amol Muzumdar has said that captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be batting at the no.3 slot throughout the tournament.
Jemimah Rodrigues, who usually bats at three, has been moved to number five, prompting India to experiment with Yastika Bhatia, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sajeevan Sajana and Uma Chetry at that slot.
Harmanpreet however took the no.3 position in the warm-up wins against the West Indies and South Africa and will continue in that role.
“Absolutely, not just the warm-up games, but we had already decided back in India and in the camps that happened before we set off from Mumbai. We had a lovely camp in Bangalore, and we decided there. Basically, these pre-World Cup matches absolutely stamped that for us. Go through the scorecard, you'll find out,” said Muzumdar in the pre-match press conference.
Harmanpreet, capable of delivering useful off-spin, hasn’t bowled in T20 matches for some time.
Muzumdar discussed the lack of a sixth bowling option for India, stating, “We've paid a lot of attention to the sixth bowling option. Also, for a fact that we have had multiple discussions within our top six, at least three to four have to bowl. If we can get those overs out of them, then nothing like it.”
“All of them could bowl. So, it's just a question of applying and just putting in those hard yards in the nets and then converting that into a match performance. So, Harman hasn't bowled, but she bowled in the second T20 warm-ups, and is experienced enough to bowl those overs.”
Muzumdar emphasized improvements in the team’s fitness and fielding, areas he has focused on since taking charge. “Basically, if you see in the first press conference, I had said that fielding and fitness would be of prime importance. We have worked upon it, thoroughly gone deeper into it, and tried to absolutely work individually.”
“First in regards to the volume as far as fielding is concerned, and then in fitness, we have paid attention to each individual to take their fitness levels to the next level. So, I think we have put in that effort. The effort has been there. I think you will definitely see the results.”
As the team embarks on its first T20 World Cup since the advent of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the tournament has produced more statistics and breakout stars. New talents like Sajeevan Sajana, Shreyanka Patil, and Asha Sobhana are part of the Indian squad for the tournament.
Muzumdar also acknowledged the significance of the WPL in shaping the current team.
“WPL has been a very successful tournament so far in the last couple of editions. You have seen what response WPL has had. Obviously, the stats have helped and we have dug into a lot of statistics and we have seen the results.”
“Some of the players that have come into the Indian squad here at the World Cup, are a product of WPL as well. Of course, not undermining the first-class cricket as well back home, but WPL has given us a strong base to find players.”
“That's actually a good headache to have. We do have a lot of talent in the team, talent in this 15 and beyond as well. So, as I said, good headache to have. But me, Harman, Smriti, we enjoy that kind of stuff where we try out different combinations, and then finally we have figured out the right combination that we are going to play tomorrow.”
“Whoever has got an opportunity, they have performed at their own numbers, whether it is batting number or, bowling, they have performed really well and that's why they are there in the team. So we found the right combination I guess.”
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