The Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur is finally in Dubai for the T20 World Cup. May I say it is the most important tournament that Harmanpreet has ever led the team to. At home, the sport has momentum and with the Women’s Premier League (WPL), giant strides have been taken. Internationally, however, the Indian women’s game needs its 1983 moment. And for Harman, more so.
Make no mistake, she is capable. Under her, India have come close. But it is one thing to come close and a very different thing to cross the line. South Africa’s men came close in Barbados in June. But it was Rohit Sharma’s team that crossed the line. With the women, this is what has to change. Time and again, India have pushed Australia, but time and again, Australia have managed to thwart the challenge. From winning positions, the Commonwealth Games final of 2022 being a case in point, India have lost. That’s where the problem lies ,and that’s what has to change.
With Smriti Mandhana in excellent form, India can be assured of some good starts in the tournament. But they will need far more consistent efforts from Shafali Verma, and hopefully Jemimah Rodrigues has fully recovered from the injury she sustained while fielding in the camp. In what is a very difficult group, you need your best to fire from game one. You need Richa Ghosh, for example, to finish well and Deepti Sharma to be in her best all-round form.
After a difficult outing against New Zealand on October 4, I am also keen awaiting the match against Sri Lanka, one of the most improved sides in the world in recent times. While Chamari Athapaththu was always stellar, she now has the support to push India. And that’s where Harmanpreet will need a fit Pooja Vastrakar to do the job upfront with Renuka Singh.
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That India have the talent is known. And in the pre-departure press conference, both Harman and Amol Mazumdar exuded confidence that this World Cup could be the moment India have been waiting for. What they will need in abundance is mental strength. The self-belief that separates the best from the rest. When South Africa were cruising in Barbados, Rohit had the belief to back his instincts and go to Hardik Pandya.
When Suryakumar Yadav took that catch on the boundary, he had the belief to back his spontaneous decision. That’s what Harman will need to do in Dubai. Teams like Australia and England, and also Sri Lanka and South Africa, will push India. In a World Cup, it is bound to happen. That’s when the captain will need to lead from the front and take control. Be a step ahead of her opponents, and take tough calls.
Harman has captained India for a while now, and it is time she takes that final leap. The sport needs it more than ever, and a failed campaign runs the risk of pushing women’s cricket back a few years. That’s how important it is for Harman, and for the sport. There is nothing that succeeds like success, and it is inevitable that comparisons will be made with the men’s campaign.
An Indian win could be the greatest moment in the history of the women’s game and give these players cult status. Money and all else will naturally follow. But anything to the contrary, and things could turn dire. This is what pressure is all about, and this is what Harman has to soak in and deliver. All the best to her and Amol, and the rest of the team in Dubai.
Also Read: Can India Women end the long-standing ICC trophy jinx?