As India prepares to face England in a crucial Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash on October 19, there is one focus in the dressing room — the resurgence of captain Harmanpreet Kaur. While the tournament has challenged India’s talisman, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has expressed unshakable faith in the skipper’s ability to turn things around.
Harmanpreet’s campaign thus far in this World Cup has been underwhelming by her own high standards. Across 4 matches, she has scored a modest 71 runs with the highest score of 22. This contrasts with her career ODI record of 156 matches, 4220 runs at an average of 36.69, and a strike rate of 76.40. Known for her game-changing capabilities, this tournament has yet to showcase the Harmanpreet fans are used to seeing regularly.
Despite the slow start, Deepti Sharma is confident that Harmanpreet’s turn of form is imminent. “There’s no doubt about her ability,” Deepti stated at the pre-match press conference. “She’s the kind of player who can change a match at any moment. As we saw in our last ODI series in England, she scored a century in the final match. She’s a great player, and we’re fully supporting her. We know what she’s capable of, and I’m sure we’ll see her best in tomorrow’s match. We’re all very positive.”
The Indian dressing room has reportedly been a source of strength for Harmanpreet. Deepti acknowledged the team’s belief in their captain amidst the pressures of the World Cup and recent losses, saying, “The team is firmly behind our skipper.” She also highlighted the positive morale within the squad despite setbacks, “I think even though we’ve lost two matches, our morale is still very good. Our first two matches went quite well, so we always go in with a positive mindset.”
India’s recent defeats against South Africa and Australia have brought scrutiny to both the captain’s form and leadership. However, Deepti remains focused on the collective effort. “In every match, different players take on different roles. Bowlers are stepping up, whether it’s in the powerplay or slog overs. Everyone is contributing. The break has helped; we’ve made several plans and prepared well,” she added confidently.
The upcoming match against England will present an opportunity for Harmanpreet to rediscover her rhythm and lead the team with her signature impact. Deepti’s message to fans and critics alike is simple — trust the process and expect the Indian captain to rise to the occasion once again.
With a track record of over 4200 ODI runs and a reputation as one of the game’s finest all-rounders, Harmanpreet’s resurgence could be a decisive factor in India’s World Cup campaign. Sunday’s game at Indore offers a stage for the leader and her team to move forward with renewed determination.
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