"Just another game" - Harmanpreet Kaur on India's Asia Cup 2024 opener against Pakistan

Indian women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has opened up about the team's preparation for the highly anticipated match against Pakistan in the upcoming Women's Asia Cup 2024. Harmanpreet Kaur stated that the Indian team can focus on their performance rather than the pressure of the rivalry.

The Asia Cup 2024 is set to take place from July 19 to 28 in Sri Lanka in T20 format. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian women's team, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. The tournament will serve as an opportunity for the team to prepare for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will begin in October.

The India women's cricket team is in Group A for the Asia Cup, alongside Pakistan, Nepal, and the UAE. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will kick off their tournament campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dambulla on July 19. The Women in Blue will face the UAE and Nepal on July 21 and 23, respectively.

There Is A Different Atmosphere - Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur said that her role as a leader is to mentally prepare the team for the intense match against Pakistan. She acknowledged the pressure that comes with such games but expressed her responsibility to help the players stay relaxed and focused.

"When you play against Pakistan, there is a different atmosphere in both the countries. Both countries want their team to win. As a player, there is a lot of pressure on us. But as a leader, it is my responsibility to make my team feel light in that environment so that they don't think that we are playing against Pakistan or it's a pressure game," Harmanpreet told Star Sports.

We All Are Very Greedy - Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the importance of treating the match against Pakistan like any other game. She said that the team needs to concentrate on their performance and not get distracted by external factors or crowd dynamics, focusing on what they can control to achieve victory.

"It will be important for me to make everyone feel that this is also just another game. We have to do well for the team and make the team win. Other than thinking about what is going on in the stadium, who are the other people cheering for? Who are they talking about? Just focus on the main things. Don't think about the things that we can't control," she added.

"We all are very greedy to win every game, and that is something we feel should be in a team, and this is what everyone in the team is feeling," Harmanpreet added.

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team will start the upcoming tournament as defending champions. The Indian team aims to secure their eighth title. They recently won a 3-0 ODI series against South Africa at home. They finished a three-match T20I series by leveling it with a commanding 10-wicket victory in the final match.

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