Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
Team India scripted history at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday by clinching their maiden ODI World Cup title. Throughout the tournament, several players rose to the occasion under pressure, and one of them was seam-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur.
In seven games, she scored 146 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 36.50, while also taking six wickets at an economy rate of 6.54. Whenever India were under pressure, Amanjot stepped up with the bat. In the first match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, India were reduced to 124/6 before Amanjot (57 off 56) and Deepti Sharma (53 off 53) rescued the team with valuable half-centuries. With the ball, too, be it in the powerplay, middle overs, or death overs, whenever skipper Harmanpreet Kaur turned to her, Amanjot delivered with full commitment.
Her fielding was another highlight. In the final, South Africa had a decent start before her direct throw sent Tazmin Brits back to the pavilion. Later, just after Laura Wolvaardt reached her century and was looking to accelerate, Amanjot kept her composure and, despite juggling, held on to that crucial catch that changed the momentum of the match.
However, just before the World Cup, there were doubts about her availability due to a niggle (suspected back injury) that had cut short her England tour. Whether she would be fully fit in time was uncertain, but Amanjot announced her arrival in the opening game itself.
Now, in an exclusive chat, her coach and mentor Nagesh Gupta shared his thoughts on seeing Amanjot become a World Champion, her crucial catch in the final, and more.
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Amanjot — a world champion! What was your emotion at the moment?
Obviously, I am feeling elated at the performance of the Indian team, and they have created history yesterday by winning the World Cup. So, feeling elated and proud at the same time.
Amanjot was electrifying on the field — diving, saving boundaries, and that outstanding catch to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt. Could you talk about that catch?
As far as Aman’s catch is concerned, it was really a match-turning catch because in these situations, either such moments make you hero or zero.
Laura Wolvaardt was batting on 100. If the catch had been dropped, she might have taken the match away from India. But luckily, it went the other way, and Aman really did well.
What’s your view on her overall outing in the World Cup? Some important contributions with the bat, effective spells in the middle overs — are you happy with the role she played?
Regarding Aman’s performances in the tournament, it was quite good in a way that she could show her skills in all three departments. In a few matches, she batted well. She got her first one-day fifty in the first match itself against Sri Lanka, and then she kept on picking some crucial wickets, bowled with the new ball, in the middle overs, and at the death.
Then, in the all-important match — the final — she gave India the crucial breakthroughs through a run-out and then the all-important catch.
Before the World Cup, there were injury concerns from the England tour. Could you tell us a bit about that phase — your chats with her and her mindset during that period?
As far as the injury was concerned, it was a slight niggle. So, there was not much to be worried about, and luckily, she got back to playing cricket before the World Cup and could go there, perform well and lift the trophy for India.
Have you already spoken to her after the win? Could you share a bit about that conversation?
Yes, I did talk to her after the win. She was obviously very happy and also happy because she could contribute towards India lifting the trophy.
Also Read: Chronicling journey through Indian team’s historic World Cup triumph