New Delhi: In a conversation with JioStar, Indian captain Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, and all-rounder Deepti Sharma shared their emotions around the match against Pakistan, and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana underlined her team’s confidence and shared her thoughts on her Indian counterpart, Harmanpreet Kaur.
Speaking to JioStar, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared her thoughts on India-Pakistan matches:
“We have grown up watching India-Pakistan games and always wanted to be a part of them. We always talk about treating it as any other game and staying focused.”
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana elaborated on the atmosphere during such matches:
“The atmosphere during India-Pakistan games is always very intense; it’s always a full house. Everyone you meet since morning tells you to win. That sort of atmosphere also brings out the best in you sometimes. My teammates and I absolutely enjoy that.”
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma spoke about the rivalry between both teams:
“The weight and excitement of India-Pakistan matches are always greater compared to other games. We look forward to that contest and are always on our toes when we face them.”
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana shared her memories of the rivalry:
“I was young when I played in the last World Cup in 2022, and after the Pakistan-India match, the whole Indian team came and met us. The way they celebrated and sat together, and had fun together, was really special. That was the moment I thought we had a great relationship with the Indian team, and I enjoyed that.”
On Pakistan’s chances against India, Fatima added:
“I believe in our team because of the way the players have performed in the last few months. Everyone is in good shape and performing well. We know the Indian team is strong, and we saw how they played against Australia in the last series; Mandhana, Jemimah, and Richa played really well. Both teams know the conditions. We will try to play good cricket against them. Our whole team is passionate about India vs Pakistan, so we will execute our best plans and try to win that match.”
On Harmanpreet Kaur:
“Harmanpreet Kaur is obviously a senior and experienced player. Cricket demands experience, and the way she carries the Indian team with so many hopes is impressive. The whole team enjoys her captaincy because she is senior and plays really well. She is a very impactful player; she can hit and even defend when needed. She can do a lot on the field as well.”
