India captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that the entire squad was available for selection ahead of India’s Women’s T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday. Addressing the media on the eve of the contest, the skipper touched upon team combinations, the challenge of English conditions, and the significance of playing in her 10th T20 World Cup.
Fully Fit Squad Ahead of Pakistan Clash
The biggest positive for India heading into the tournament is the availability of all players. When asked about injury concerns, Harmanpreet provided a straightforward update.
“Everyone is fit and fine, confident for tomorrow’s game,” she said.
India have had to deal with injuries in recent months, including the absence of pace-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. Harmanpreet acknowledged her importance but backed the likes of Kranti Goud, Arundhati Reddy, and Bharati Fulmali to collectively fill the void.
Pressure of an India–Pakistan Encounter
While players often describe India–Pakistan games as just another fixture, Harmanpreet admitted that the occasion naturally brings added pressure.
“I won’t deny that it is more of a pressure,” she said. “Whenever we play against Pakistan, pressure is going to be there. But it’s only about how we are going to enjoy that pressure.”
The captain stressed that the team’s focus remains firmly on cricket despite the political backdrop that often surrounds the rivalry.
Learning from Recent Defeats
India enter the tournament after a mixed run of results, including setbacks during their tour of England. Harmanpreet, however, believes those losses may prove valuable.
“When things go well, sometimes you don’t know in which areas you have to improve,” she explained. “But when you lose, you learn a lot as a team.”
According to the skipper, the team has spent the last few weeks identifying areas for improvement and refining its plans ahead of the World Cup.
Confidence Boost for Richa Ghosh
Harmanpreet reserved special praise for wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, whose aggressive knock in a recent practice game has helped restore confidence after a lean run.
“She is a game-changer for us,” Harmanpreet said. “It was only about one good innings. Her rough phase is gone and now she is looking so good in the nets.”
The skipper also lauded Yastika Bhatia’s return from injury and said the entire squad is carrying confidence into the tournament opener.
A Special Milestone and Familiar Conditions
The tournament marks Harmanpreet’s 10th T20 World Cup appearance, a milestone she described as both emotional and special.
“I am very grateful and very thankful,” she said. “Cricket is something very close to my heart and I never want to stop playing because this is something I love the most.”
Having previously played at Edgbaston during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Harmanpreet believes India’s familiarity with the venue and English conditions will be an advantage as they begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan.
For latest sports updates: Follow RevSportz
The post “Whenever we play against Pakistan, pressure is going to be there.” – Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of India’s T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
