Has life changed for Harmanpreet Kaur after winning the World Cup? The Indian women’s team captain is good at keeping her emotions in check, except on special occasions, when she breaks into perfect Bhangra steps. On Wednesday, as Mumbai Indians addressed the media ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League, which begins on Friday, their skipper was matter-of-fact as ever. “I have become busier,” Harmanpreet said, revelling in her monosyllabic reply.
The immediate challenge will be defending the WPL title. “Whenever I go on the field, I tell my team that I want to win the trophy. This new year starts with the WPL and I have the same energy and excitement going into the tournament. We have the same mindset. We have won two trophies in the last three seasons and we want to play well this season and win the trophy again,” she asserted.
Harmanpreet is from Punjab but, over the years, has fallen in love with Mumbai. “It’s my first job in Mumbai and I think it’s a very special city for me because whenever I get a chance to play here, I always see positive results. I am sure this season is also going to be very special. I am really happy that last season and last year turned out to be very good overall for women’s cricket. I hope this year also starts the same way,” she said.
This time, MI have roped in two-time World Cup winner Lisa Keightley as their head coach. She spoke about having an all-female coaching staff and how it reflects MI’s ethos and Mrs Nita M. Ambani’s vision to empower women through sport. “To have a full female coaching panel is really exciting and something different for me. We are giving an opportunity for supporters and females across the world to see women in the coaching space. From that point of view, I would love to see it more often, and I think over the next 10 years you will see that.”
She added: “To have a female leader in powerful positions making decisions, as Mrs Ambani does, also plays a part in why we have women in our coaching staff. It starts at the top and filters down. It’s really fantastic to have those opportunities.”
Jhulan Goswami, MI mentor and bowling coach, was full of praise for Keightley. “It’s a blessing to work with her as she has 20 years of coaching experience. We can learn a lot under her leadership,” she said.
Will the players and coaching staff be happy to see the WPL played on a home-and-away basis, like the IPL? For now, there is no rush. “Let it be like this for the moment,” the skipper and the coaches agreed. “Not too many venues mean less travel,” Harmanpreet said, tongue firmly in cheek.
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Mumbai Indians’ pre-season press conference ahead of the WPL, attended by head coach Lisa Keightley, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and bowling coach Jhulan Goswami.
Harman speaks about the tournament favourites and her legacy as a captain.@ThumsUpOfficial @shamik100 @mipaltan… pic.twitter.com/YLKue5o9Sw
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