Captain backs balanced Indian side ahead of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, stresses fearless mindset and powerplay dominance
New Delhi: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed strong confidence in her team’s ability to lift the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup title, asserting that the current Indian squad possesses both the talent and temperament needed to conquer the global stage.
Set to lead India in her fifth consecutive ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Harmanpreet said the team is entering the tournament with belief, preparation, and composure rather than pressure or overconfidence. Fresh from guiding India to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title on home soil, the experienced skipper believes the squad has matured significantly over the past few years.
Speaking about India’s preparations, Harmanpreet said every match in a T20 World Cup is crucial and there is no room for complacency. She noted that the standard of women’s cricket across the world has risen sharply, making every opponent dangerous on a given day.
“We have the potential to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. There is no unnecessary pressure on us, no extra burden, and we are not overconfident either. Every team has improved and any side can defeat another on a particular day. We need to stay positive, execute our plans properly, and prepare ourselves mentally for the big moments,” she said.
The Indian captain admitted that the team was disappointed with its performance in the previous T20 World Cup but added that the setback became a learning experience. Since then, the squad has worked relentlessly on improving all aspects of its game.
According to Harmanpreet, the key challenge in major tournaments is maintaining the right mental balance. She emphasized that success in global competitions depends on how effectively players handle pressure situations and remain focused on executing basics repeatedly.
India’s recent tour of South Africa, however, exposed some concerns. The visitors suffered a 1-4 defeat in the five-match T20 International series against the hosts, with bowling inconsistencies becoming a major issue. Despite the disappointing result, Harmanpreet refused to overreact to one poor series and backed her bowlers strongly.
She described T20 cricket as the toughest format for bowlers, especially in modern conditions where aggressive batting dominates. Harmanpreet pointed out that the South Africa series was the only recent assignment where India’s bowling unit struggled collectively.
“Our bowlers could not perform as expected in South Africa, but I will never judge players based on just one series. We learned a lot from that tour. The important thing now is how we improve together as a unit,” she explained.
The Indian team management is now expected to intensify preparations through specialized camps and tactical training sessions before the marquee tournament. Harmanpreet highlighted the upcoming T20 series against England as a major opportunity to sharpen combinations and test strategies under pressure.
One of the central themes of India’s preparation, according to the skipper, is mastering the powerplay overs with both bat and ball. Harmanpreet stressed that powerplays often determine the momentum and outcome of T20 matches.
She said India’s batting unit aims to maximize scoring opportunities in the first six overs, while the bowling group is focusing on taking early wickets and restricting opposition scoring rates.
“In T20 cricket, the powerplay is extremely important. We want to score aggressively while batting and pick up maximum wickets while bowling during that phase. Powerplays decide the direction of a match to a large extent, so we are working very hard on that aspect,” Harmanpreet added.
India’s campaign has also been affected by injuries to key players. Harmanpreet acknowledged that the absence of all-rounder Amanjot Kaur due to a knee injury has been a significant setback for the side.
She described Amanjot as a vital member of the team whose role is difficult to replace. However, the team management has identified emerging players who could step into important positions during the tournament.
Among them is Bharti Fulmali, who is being considered as a middle-order batting option around the sixth or seventh position. Harmanpreet praised Bharti for consistently trying to prove herself whenever opportunities came her way.
The Indian captain noted that Bharti has already shown her match-winning abilities in the Women’s Premier League and domestic cricket, making her an exciting option in pressure situations.
Young player Nandini has also impressed the team management with strong performances in the Women’s Premier League, particularly through her wicket-taking ability.
Harmanpreet said the absence of some senior players due to injuries creates opportunities for newcomers to step up and showcase their talent on the international stage.
Meanwhile, India’s chief senior women’s national selector Amita Sharma also addressed the team’s recent struggles and preparations. The former India all-rounder admitted that the bowling attack looked ineffective during the South Africa series, especially in terms of taking wickets at crucial moments.
She pointed out that South African batter Laura Wolvaardt dominated the series with consistent performances, exposing India’s inability to break partnerships early.
To address those concerns, the selectors have strengthened the bowling department by adding more wicket-taking options to the squad. According to Amita Sharma, the think tank wants aggressive bowlers capable of making early breakthroughs.
“Our bowling lacked sharpness in South Africa. We were not able to take wickets consistently. That is why we have focused on strengthening the bowling unit before the World Cup. The captain and coaching staff want attacking bowlers who can strike early and put pressure on opposition teams,” Amita Sharma said.
The renewed focus on bowling depth reflects India’s determination to build a more balanced T20 side capable of handling varied conditions against elite opposition.
India’s batting unit already possesses considerable firepower with experienced stars and emerging young players combining aggression with adaptability. The challenge now lies in ensuring consistency across all departments.
The team’s approach also signals a shift toward fearless cricket, with greater emphasis on positive intent rather than conservative accumulation. Harmanpreet’s leadership style — calm yet aggressive — is expected to play a crucial role in guiding the younger players through high-pressure encounters.
India has repeatedly come close to winning a global T20 title in recent years but has fallen short at decisive moments. The current squad, however, appears determined to transform past heartbreaks into motivation.
With experienced campaigners, talented youngsters, improved depth, and clearer tactical direction, the Indian women’s team believes it can finally achieve its long-awaited dream of becoming T20 world champions.
As preparations intensify and combinations settle, Indian fans will hope Harmanpreet Kaur’s confidence translates into history on cricket’s biggest stage.
