New Delhi: Harmanpreet Kaur captain of the India women’s cricket team, on Wednesday said that last year’s historic ODI World Cup victory at home has instilled confidence and belief within the squad to aim for more global titles.
Landmark win changed team mindset
India secured their maiden ICC title in November by defeating South Africa women’s cricket team in Navi Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the country’s women’s cricket history.
Reflecting on the achievement, Harmanpreet emphasised the importance of winning major tournaments. She noted that success at the highest level brings recognition and validates the hard work put in by players over the years.
She also acknowledged the contributions of past generations of women cricketers, stating that many had made personal sacrifices to help the sport grow in India.
Confidence ahead of T20 World Cup
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to be held in the United Kingdom from June 12 to July 5, the skipper expressed optimism about India’s chances.
She said the previous World Cup triumph has given the team the belief that they can perform and win in any conditions, not just at home.
“We will try our best. The last World Cup gave us confidence, and now we believe we can win anywhere in the world,” she said.
Learning from Australia tour
India recently toured Australia for a challenging multi-format series, which included T20Is, ODIs and a one-off pink-ball Test.
Although India lost the series on points, Harmanpreet described the experience as valuable preparation for future competitions. She highlighted the difficulty of switching between formats within a short span, calling it a “totally different experience” for the players.
India began the tour strongly by winning the T20I series 2-1 but struggled in the ODI leg, losing 0-3, and also fell short in the Test match.
Unique challenges of multi-format cricket
The captain pointed out that such multi-format series test players’ adaptability and mental strength. She noted that traditionally, players were more accustomed to playing one format at a time, making this format particularly demanding.
Despite the results, she said the exposure would help the team improve and better prepare for major tournaments.
Emotional moment off the field
The occasion was also special for Harmanpreet personally, as a stand was named in her honour at the Omaxe Stadium in Dwarka. She described the recognition as an emotional moment in her career.
Conclusion
With renewed confidence from their maiden ICC title and valuable lessons from recent tours, the Indian women’s team is gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, the team aims to build on its success and establish itself as a consistent force in world cricket.
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