ICC Women's World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Confirms Harmanpreet Kaur Will Be India's Vice-Captain

India women team skipper Mithali Raj confirmed that star batter Harmanpreet Kaur will be her deputy for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 in New Zealand.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma was named the vice-captain of the Indian women’s team in the final two ODI matches against New Zealand. However, Mithali revealed that Harmanpreet will be the vice-captain for World Cup and to appoint Deepti as her deputy for New Zealand matches was the decision of selectors.

Harmanpreet Kaur is the vice-captain for the World Cup: Mithali Raj

“Deepti being picked as the vice-captain for the last two ODIs was the choice of the selectors and the BCCI. Harmanpreet is the vice-captain for the World Cup,” said Mithali during a virtual press conference.

Mithali Raj advises youngsters to enjoy the World Cup without any pressure

India recently lost to New Zealand 1-4 in the ODI series ahead of the marquee event. To avoid the whitewash, senior batters Smriti Mandhana (71), Harmanpreet (63) and Mithali (54*) played crucial knocks to help the team register a six-wicket win against the White Ferns in the final ODI on February 24.

Mithali, who will hang her boots after the World Cup, asked the youngsters of the Indian team to not take too much pressure and enjoy the tournament and said the New Zealand ODIs were important for their World Cup preparations.

“The only advice I would tell the young players is to enjoy the big stage because if you pile up the pressure you may not be playing the best that the team and you would want to do in the World Cup,” the Indian skipper said. 

“The batting department has come together, the bowling unit has taken a bit of time, we did not have a camp in India because of the rising COVID-19 cases, so this series against New Zealand was important in terms of preparation for the World Cup,” she added.

India women’s team will take on their arch-rivals Pakistan in their first match of the World Cup on March 6 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Also Read: Squad Will Be Far More Stronger When I Retire After 2022 Women’s World Cup: Mithali Raj