Women's T20 World Cup: Shafali Verma will be a key player for us, I always like to back her, says Harmanpreet Kaur

06.02.2023 - 11:57 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

This time, in South Africa, Harmanpreet will once again lead the Women in Blue in the next edition of the Women's T20 World Cup.

Team India are still waiting for their first title.The most successful team in the history of the tournament is Australia, who have won the title 5 times.Since the inception of the Women's T20 World Cup in 2009 India have managed to enter the final only once - in 2020 - under Harmanpreet's captaincy. 'Can't take any team lightly': India captain Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women's T20 World Cup This time India are placed alongside England, Ireland, Pakistan and West Indies in Group B.

The Women in Blue will kick off their World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 12 at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

Harmanpreet Kaur (TOI Photo)As the team gears up for the mega tournament, TimesofIndia.com caught up with India skipper Harmanpreet to talk about the team's World Cup plans and potential title chances, key players, who amongst Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh as the preferred wicketkeeper, young sensation and U-19 T20 World Cup winning captain Shafali Verma, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni's influence on her and much more...

cricket Sporting cup player Harmanpreet Kaur Shafali Verma Australia South Africa Ireland India Cape Town Pakistan

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India's dreams of a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title ended when the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side fell short by five runs in the semi-final against Australia. Chasing a 173-run target against Australia in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final, India were batting confidently at one stage, till skipper Harmanpreet's run out happened. The match turned dramatically when Harmanpreet was run out with just 40 runs needed off 32 balls. Kaur batted superbly to make 52 off 34 balls. She hit a ball to deep midwicket and seemed set to complete a comfortable two runs only for her bat to jab into the turf just short of the crease. Kaur threw her bat angrily as she walked off. That dismissal pegged back India ultimately.

"It's Sad To See...": Harmanpreet Kaur's Message To Fans After T20 World Cup Exit

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has shared a heartfelt post for fans after her side suffered a morale-shattering defeat in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup on Thursday. India narrowly lost out to defending champions Austrralia, with Harmanpreet's dramatic run out proving to be a deciding factor in the outcome of the match. The 33-year-old was visibly shattered after the defeat and was seen crying after the match. Taking to Twitter, Harmanpreet thanked fans for their unconditional support, saying that the Indian team will bounce back strongly.

Harmanpreet Kaur "Was Casual...": Ex-Captain On India Skipper's Run Out In Women's T20 World Cup Semi-final

Chasing a 173-run target against Australia in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final, India were batting confidently at one stage, till skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's run out happened. The match turned dramatically when Harmanpreet was run out with just 40 runs needed off 32 balls. Kaur batted superbly to make 52 off 34 balls. She hit a ball to deep midwicket and seemed set to complete a comfortable two runs only for her bat to jab into the turf just short of the crease. Kaur threw her bat angrily as she walked off. That dismissal pegged back India ultimately.

"Team Is Going To Dominate For Ages": Jemimah Rodrigues After Women's T20 World Cup Exit

Jemimah Rodrigues is utterly disappointed after India's a semifinal exit from the Women's T20 World Cup but the top-order batter wants to count on the positives and sees her team dominating the game in the foreseeable future. Indian women's team has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last few years, but a major trophy has eluded the Women in Blue. They lost the ODI World Cup final to England in 2017, the 2020 T20 World Cup final to Australia and the 2022 CWG final to Australia in Birmingham.

"Need Absolute Danda...": Ex-BCCI Administrator Criticises Indian Cricket Team After Women's T20 World Cup Exit

Former captain Diana Edulji has no qualms in saying that India's U-19 stars fielded way better in their victorious T20 World Cup campaign in comparison to the seniors' effort in South Africa and reckons that most of them will struggle if the 'yo yo' test becomes mandatory in women's cricket. Edulji, who was part of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee which ran the BCCI for 33 months, was appalled at the fielding effort displayed by India in the T20 World Cup semifinal in Cape Town on Thursday.

"He Said That?": Harmanpreet Kaur's Fiery Response To Nasser Hussain's 'School Girl Error' Comment After T20 World Cup Exit

Harmanpreet Kaur looked on course to guide India to victory over Australia in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final but a freak run-out ended her innings and the hopes of reaching the tournament's final. The India skipper was very close to completing her run but her bat got stuck in the ground and Alyssa Healy completed a crucial dismissal. The Indian batters were unable to finish the chase as India fell agonisingly short of the target. Former England Skipper Nasser Hussain called it a 'school girl error' on her part and blamed her slow start to the first run for the dismissal.