Indian women’s team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expects Kiran Prabhu Navgire and Dayalan Hemalatha, who are part of the Indian squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of England, to fill the gaps the side was lacking in death overs.
Navgire, who slammed the quickest half-century in the Women’s T20 Challenge earlier this year, has received her maiden India call-up for the three-match T20I series.
On the other hand, spin all-rounder Hemalatha has featured in 7 WODIs and T20Is each so far. She has earned a recall in both the T20I and ODI squads after two years on the back of a strong domestic season.
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“We have added two new batters KP (Navgire) and Hemlatha. We can work on these two players who have got that skill-set. They can bring a lot to the team,” Harmanpreet said during the pre-departure virtual press conference.
“They have the power, the skill. If we can work on them and add some more skills to their personal game that would really help our team to fill in the gaps the team is lacking right now.”
The Indian captain further said she has observed both Navgire and Hemalatha from close quarters during the domestic season.
“I’ve seen the way they batted in the domestic season. It’s the right platform for them to bring in something which team was lacking. No matter whatever format you play, you at least need six batters in the side,” Harmanpreet said.
“We were lacking in the area because we didn’t have those batters in the side. But now we have added two more extra batters (KP and Hemlatha). We want to give them opportunity,” she added.
India’s tour of England is due to get underway on September 10, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs each.
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for February next year, Harmanpreet said the team management is keen to give everyone “maximum opportunities.”
“For me, I’m really excited to give an opportunity to the youngsters who have just entered the side. It’s very important to give equal chances to all the players. We have a good lot of about 30 players.
“Before the World Cup, if they can get equal chances, then you have a fair idea to select the team. We will definitely try some new things and at the same time give equal opportunities so we can make a good team.”
The T20Is against England will be India’s first assignment since winning the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month.
“I wasn’t happy after losing the final… it was such a match, we could have easily won. But after we returned home with people appreciating our performances, I felt good.
“It felt really nice keeping in mind that it was our first Commonwealth Games and the way the team played overall was nice. We want to continue the same approach,” Harmanpreet Kaur remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
