Harmanpreet Kaur’s achievement in winning the Women’s ODI World Cup and securing a couple of WPL trophies has rendered her captaincy record “untouchable.” The 36-year-old is expected to contribute to Indian cricket for another four to five years, according to her longtime India teammate Jhulan Goswami.
Harmanpreet ended India’s long wait for an ICC title in women’s cricket with the ODI World Cup triumph at home, having previously led Mumbai Indians to WPL victories.
“What she has done for Indian cricket, for Mumbai Indians, and franchise cricket is phenomenal,” said Jhulan, MI’s bowling coach and team mentor, on Wednesday.
“I don’t think anyone can touch her record in the near future. Being the first World Cup winning captain, having two WPL titles,
and hopefully many more to come, is extraordinary.”
“The legacy she will leave in the future is hard to describe at this moment because I believe she still has another four to five years of cricket left in her,” Jhulan added.
India’s finest pacer noted that the team’s gesture of celebrating the World Cup win with former players, including herself, Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, and Reema Malhotra, was spontaneous and heartfelt.
“At that moment, we couldn’t exchange any words; it was pure emotion. I must thank Harman, Smriti (Mandhana), and the entire team for the gesture. It was not planned,” Jhulan said.
“We were doing broadcast work and were told by our producer that while they were thanking the crowd, we could ask a question or two. But the way the girls came forward to us and celebrated the moment was unprecedented in Indian cricket or any sport.”
Harmanpreet will lead the defending champions MI in the fourth edition of the WPL with a notable change: Australia’s Lisa Keightley replacing England’s Charlotte Edwards as head coach.
Jhulan mentioned that Lisa, while continuing the team’s philosophy, brings a fearless cricket mindset.
“That’s the mindset Charlotte started, and now Lisa continues. She brings the idea that we need to play fearless cricket,” she said.
Jhulan highlighted that retaining most of their players makes Mumbai Indians a strong franchise.
“If you look at last year’s final, we managed to bring back nine out of the eleven players,” she said.
“This was a huge challenge, having our own setup and core players. We support our players because they have performed well for our franchise and bring a lot of value.”
“Having Haley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Amanjot Kaur… they are all exciting international cricketers who have been performing well throughout the year,” Jhulan added.
Jhulan supported MI spinner Saika Ishaque, who claimed 15 wickets in their maiden title win in 2023, to rebound after facing some struggles.
“In the first season, she was unbelievable and had a dream run, but she struggled with her fitness afterwards,” Jhulan explained.
“These things happen. She had some niggles, and people became more aware of her bowling style and planned better against her.”
Jhulan agreed with the assessment of Australia players Meg Lanning and Ashleigh Gardner, who will lead UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants respectively, that Indian domestic players are increasingly competitive with seasoned professionals.
“It was bound to happen. In the first season, they were not aware of how to approach the WPL tournament. They had never been in such situations or played in front of big crowds,” Jhulan said.
“The level of fitness those international players had, our domestic players were not as prepared.”
“But over time, our girls have improved significantly and have closed the gap with international players,” she concluded.
With PTI Inputs
