Need To Get Balance In Batting Order To Close Out Games: Harmanpreet Kaur

The Indian women’s cricket team has struggled to finish games, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur thinks finding the correct balance in the batting order is the key to finding a solution. 

India lost the plot when pursuing Australia’s 162 runs in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games final and was bowled out for 152 runs in 19.3 overs.

Dayalam Hemalatha And KP Navgire Added To Side As Match Finishers

We are working on that. I know for a long time these things are troubling us. We need to show some patience and after a while, we will start getting the results also,” Harmanpreet Kaur said on the eve of the first T20I against England here on Saturday.

“That is why this time we have added two more batters Dayalan Hemalatha and KP Navgire in the side who can finish the game for us. They have done really well in domestic cricket, scored good amount of runs.” “We need to have balance in our side in the lower order, when there is balance things become easier,” she added. 

Having said that, Harmanpreet thinks that the visitors’ batting strategy needs to be adaptable. “We need to be a bit flexible when it comes to batting because sometimes you had to see who is bowling and whose performance is better against her and who can get those runs for us. 

“Batting wise we will be very flexible. We will take calls according to match situations,” she said. After their silver medal-winning performance in Birmingham, when they defeated England on route to the gold medal match, the right-handed batter views the limited-overs tour of England as a fresh start. 

“We have done really well in the CWG but now it’s a new start for us. England have always done well against us. For us it will be very challenging. (But) CWG has given us a lot of confidence,” Harmanpreet Kaur said. 

England Have A Very Good Side: Harmanpreet Kaur

India is in England for a two-week white-ball tour that includes six matches, three T20Is, and the same number of ODIs. While the ODIs are set for Hove (September 18), Canterbury (September 21), and the Lord’s (September 22), the T20s will be played in Hove (September 10), Derby (September 13), and Bristol (September 15). (September 24). 

Nat Sciver, the stand-in captain for England, will not be present since she withdrew from the series to “concentrate on her mental health.” 

But Harmanpreet Kaur claimed that England still had sufficient weaponry to confront India.

“She (Sciver) is missing the game but still they have a very good side and I think if we have to beat them we will have to play very good cricket.”

“Last 10 days gave us enough time to prepare ourselves. We are looking in good shape, and now it is time to just go there and execute. It is very important for us to stay in the moment,” she said. 

It’s Better To Take A Break Than Pushing Too Hard: Harmanpreet Kaur

When asked about the mental fatigue that players experience these days as a result of playing constant cricket, Harmanpreet responded that when things are not going well, it is better to take a break rather than exerting too much effort.

“Ups and downs are part of life, so when things are not going your way it’s better to take a break than pushing too hard,” she said. As a team, we always attempt to support that individual when we encounter a circumstance like that. 

“The last time when I was going through these things, playing back-to-back cricket, I took a break after CWG. Playing back-to-back cricket takes a toll on your mental health.” 

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