Harmanpreet Kaur also opened up on how Mithali Raj has inspired her.
Indian women’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the newly-appointed head coach Ramesh Powar is very ambitious and believes that he will help in giving the national side the required push to achieve more success in international cricket.
She also shed light on how Test, ODI captain Mithali Raj has inspired her. Kaur also explained how the upcoming multi-format series against England and Australia will hold India Women in good stead ahead of the 50-over World Cup next year.
Powar took over the reins from WV Raman as the head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team in May 2021 and the former spinner will have his first assignment in England when the girls take on England Women in the multi-format series from June 16.
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In an interview with ANI, Harmanpreet said: “Ramesh sir gets involved in the team at all times and makes an effort to know the players' strengths, weaknesses, fears, etc, and tries to work on them. He is very ambitious and that helps the team get the required push from the very experienced person.”
On what she has learned from Mithali, she pointed out: “Mithali di is the most experienced in our team and from her, I have learned to be patient on the field. She tried to stay calm at most times and that reflects on her personal performance.”
India women's team will take on the England Women side in a one-off Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is starting the UK tour with their first-ever four-day Test match from June 16 in Bristol followed by multi-format series, including one day-night Test in Australia in September-October.
On the upcoming assignments, Harmanpreet noted: “Playing against the top-ranked teams before the big challenges have always helped our team to build a positive approach. Taking on England in a multi-format tournament will be extremely helpful and each one of us in the team will have enough time to perform get better by the time we step in for the World Cup.”
India Women squad for Test & ODIs against England:
Mithali Raj (Captain), Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Punam Raut, Priya Punia, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Sneh Rana, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Indrani Roy (wicket-keeper), Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Radha Yadav.
India's Women squad for T20I:
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain) Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Indrani Roy (wicket-keeper), Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Radha Yadav, Simran Dil Bahadur.
(With ANI Inputs)