Harmanpreet Kaur says her team focusing on Women’s T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan amid WPL buzz

According to reports, the auction for the inaugural edition of the WPL will be held on February 14.

Harmanpreet Kaur | GettyIndia skipper Harmanpreet Kaur feels it is important not to get carried away by the talks surrounding the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction amid the team’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.

According to reports, the auction for the inaugural edition of the WPL will be held on February 14. Two days prior to the auction day, the Women in Blue will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in an all-important World Cup fixture in Cape Town.

"Before that [the auction], we have a very important game and we are just going to focus on that," Harmanpreet was quoted as saying at the T20 World Cup captains' pressers.

The first edition of WPL, featuring five teams, is likely to kick-off in March 2023. Last month, Viacom 18 bagged the media rights for the first five editions of the league for a whopping sum of Rs 951 crore.

While welcoming the idea of the WPL, Harmanpreet said: "It's a really big day for all of us because we have been waiting for years and years now. The next two or three months are very important for women's cricket. We have seen how the WBBL and the Hundred have helped their countries improve their cricket. Hopefully, the same will happen for our country."

Harmanpreet Kaur also shared her experience playing in the Kia Super League, WBBL and Women’s Hundred over the years.

"That is something which has a very different feeling. When I got that opportunity, it was the biggest life-changing moment. Other girls will also experience this. It will be a great opportunity to improve cricket and grow the game," she said.

"The World Cup is more important than anything else. Our focus is on the ICC trophy. These things will keep coming, and as a player, you know what's important for you and how you need to keep your focus. We are all mature enough and know what is important for us," she added.

Under Harmanpreet, India reached the final of the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup but suffered defeat in the summit clash at the hands of Australia.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 05 Feb, 2023

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