Cricket is everything to me; without it, I would be nothing Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, recently gave some personal reflections on her cricket career and the role the game has played in her life. Her disclosure illustrates the commitment, development, and shifting landscape of Indian women’s cricket.

Cricket is more than simply a sport to Kaur—it’s a way of life. She remembered the first time she wore the Indian jersey and had to decide who to tell first, her coach or her parents. It was clear how emotionally invested she was in the game.

“I believe that cricket is everything to me. I doubt I would exist at all without cricket. There is no other sport that could have given me the name cricket has given me. Thus, I believe that cricket is divine in my eyes. Cricket has given me everything I’ve ever dreamed of, both as a child and as a player,” she revealed exclusively to Star Sports.

The right-hand hitter’s first India call-up jersey was a memorable occasion for her, as well as an emotional one for her coach and parents, who both had a significant influence on her life.

“I can say that off the pitch, after putting on the Indian shirt for the first time, I snapped a picture and was just considering who should be in the picture first. Should I send it to my parents or the coach who helped me get this opportunity, accepted me into his school, and promised to start cricket for me in class? Since I thought both were equally important, I was really conflicted about who to send first,” she continued.

We were playing a game of terrified cricket, it seems to us: Harmanpreet Kaur

Kaur’s 66 off 47 balls was a key factor in this accomplishment. Kaur also disclosed a noteworthy change in the team’s methodology during the previous seven to eight years.

“Earlier, it seemed as though we were engaged in a game of fearful cricket. We used to react fearfully when things didn’t go as planned, but these days we try to be a little brave and take courageous actions. We have gradually compelled people to attend the stadium by virtue of our performance,” the captain continued.

Kaur’s style of leadership places a strong emphasis on bold decision-making and aggressive play. This strategy was on display in the game against UAE, when the team overcame early deficits to reach a new high score. This fresh, reckless style of cricket was epitomised by the captain’s partnership with Richa Ghosh, who hit a scorching 64 off 29 balls.

Under Kaur’s leadership, the Indian women’s cricket team has achieved more than just match victories. It’s about motivating a new generation of cricket players and transforming attitudes.

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“Our team has performed exceptionally well over the last seven to eight years. We used to play cricket even before then, but we weren’t as good at it or as successful at winning a lot of matches. Thus, we always talk about how we’ll always go for the aggressive alternative when given a choice,” she said.