India captain Harmanpreet Kaur fears that India has been ‘restless’ and might lose momentum due to the enforced eight-day break prior to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia.
It will be India’s first-ever World T20 final and the Women in Blue will look to grab this opportunity with both hands. It has been a slack week for team India, who topped Group A with four consecutive wins. Since their last match against Sri Lanka on Saturday, the Women in Blue have had a quiet period.
Harmanpreet elucidated, “We haven’t been outdoors much and we didn’t manage to play the important game against England. We were all in touch and doing indoor training, but it doesn’t give you full confidence because the surface is totally different.”
“Everyone was in good touch and thinking about what they can do for the team. We did get rest also because when you’re playing for a long time, you need a break. No-one wanted to take rest, everyone was so keen, everyone was on the ground and ready to deal with the situation.”
Though India remained invincible in the league matches, they have had some nail-biting contests in the tournament, for instance, a three-run win over New Zealand, 17 run-victory against Australia and 18-run win over Bangladesh.
The Indians have batted first in three games. So, will they be comfortable chasing in the final on Sunday? Share on X
Though in the T20I tri-series that included England and Australia which was played Down Under just before the World Cup, India managed to chase down a daunting 173, their highest-ever chase, against the finalists Australia, winning the match by seven wickets, Harmanpreet Kaur and co. might look rusty if they are put into the bowl first at the MCG by the defending champions.
The two sides’ opening match witnessed 13,432 fans pack Sydney Showground and given over 75,000 tickets have been sold for the MCG, rising to the occasion will be a big challenge for the first time World T20 finalists.
Reporter: What are the challenges playing in front of a huge crowd?#AUSvIND #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/J5eh5WvfiG
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 7, 2020
Kaur, who played in front of a sold-out crowd in the 2017 Cricket World Cup Final against England at Lord’s, encouraged her team to enjoy the big stage rather than worry about it.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s the first time we’re going to see 90,000 people in the stadium and we’re really looking positive for that. We are used to playing when a lot of crowds are around us. Sometimes there’s no noise going around in the stadium so we need to keep an eye on each of us.”
Reporter: What is the biggest crowd team 🇮🇳 has ever played in front of?#INDvAUS #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/SvC0p1TOop
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 7, 2020
It’s a big moment. Rather than thinking about what is going to trouble us, it’s only about being there, enjoying the moment and giving our best. One thing, we have to keep in mind Sunday is a fresh day, a fresh start. We have to start from ball one. We’ve done quite well in the league games. Both teams are under pressure and both are capable of winning,” stated Harmanpreet.
Will India’s 8-day enforced break harm their chances in the World T20 final? #INDvAUS #T20WorldCupFinal #T20WC #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0kI6px365z
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 7, 2020
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