India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Saturday (June 18) said that the upcoming white-ball tour to Sri Lanka is a great opportunity to build a team.
"We are working hard on our team, we have great combinations. And for us, it is a good tour to start, because first-time we are going to play without our seniors and a great opportunity for all of us to build a team," Harmanpreet said at the virtual pre-departure press conference.
"For me, it is a great opportunity where you can build a good team because Sri Lanka, I don't think it is going to be an easy tour for us."
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team is due to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in Sri Lanka. The squad doesn’t feature the veteran duo of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswani. While Mithali recently retired from the game, Jhulan is not travelling to the island nation.
As a result, Harmanpreet has been handed the ODI captaincy besides her role as T20I captain.
She stressed on giving opportunities to young players.
“In the fielding department also, we will give opportunities to young players who can bowl 10 overs and look for breakthroughs.
"We are trying to do little-little things, where we (have) worked in this (NCA) camp and we are having a vision, so we will look for that (in terms of implementation),” Harmanpreet said.
"If we talk about our bowling unit, this is the time they are getting responsibility and this tour will be an ideal platform for them to perform where they can take charge and bowl full quota."
"For us it is important whatever we are planning, we should go and deliver, that is what as a unit we are looking forward (to)," she added.
Harmanpreet Kaur also paid a tribute to her predecessor, saying no one can fill her shoes in the team.
"Well, as we all know, she (Mithali) has done great for women's cricket and I don't think anyone can fill this place. If you talk about Mithali Di, I don't think there is anyone who can take her place and we will always miss her in our dressing rooms and the things she has done so far," she remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
