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Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, has expressed unwavering confidence in her team's ability to secure their first-ever global championship in the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Kaur believes that the playing conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the new host of the tournament due to political instability in Bangladesh, might even favor the Indian side. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3 to 20, and the change in location has not dampened Kaur's optimism.
“Whenever we play on this kind of stage (World Cup), we always want to do well. We have always done well in the past as well, and hopefully, this time we will break that final barrier and go all the way,” Harmanpreet told the PTI videos. She highlights the team's consistent performance in past World Cups, suggesting that this time they are ready to take the final step and achieve victory.
Despite the unexpected venue change, Kaur remains unfazed and believes that the conditions in the UAE are not drastically different from those in India. “The 35-year-old did not read too much into the venue shift, and said the conditions in the UAE are quite similar to India,” she stated, expressing confidence in her team's ability to adapt to the new surroundings. She emphasizes that the team is prepared to adjust to the UAE conditions quickly, drawing on their experience with similar conditions in India.
While acknowledging that India has not played extensively in the UAE, Kaur remains optimistic about the team's chances. “We have not played much cricket in the UAE. But the conditions in the UAE are going to be similar to Indian conditions. We will see how the conditions play out (there) and try to adjust ourselves to the conditions as soon as possible,” said Harmanpreet, who led India to the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup. This statement highlights the team's adaptability and their readiness to overcome any challenges presented by the new location.
Kaur's ambitions for the team extend beyond simply adapting to the venue. She desires a confident and assertive approach from the entire team throughout the World Cup, regardless of the circumstances they might face on the field. “As a team, we learn from our defeats and break those barriers that are pushing us back. Hopefully this time we can express ourselves in a more positive way in the World Cup,” she said. Kaur's determination to learn from past experiences and to push through any setbacks speaks volumes about her leadership and the team's collective spirit.
Despite recent struggles in the bowling attack, particularly in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, Kaur expresses confidence in their ability to rise to the occasion and perform well in the upcoming World Cup. “The bowlers are working really hard as a team and, hopefully, in this World Cup we tick all the boxes.” Kaur's belief in her team's potential and their hard work suggests that she expects a strong performance from the bowlers in the World Cup.
Kaur emphasizes the importance of staying focused on the present moment, highlighting it as a crucial factor in securing the World Cup title. “It is always important for us to play good cricket, keeping ourselves in the present. Whatever the situation is in front of us…we go there and evaluate (it) as soon as possible,” she signed off. Kaur's emphasis on the importance of staying present and adapting to the evolving circumstances of the game suggests a strategic and focused approach to the World Cup.