Harmanpreet Kaur just led the Indian side to the Women’s ODI World Cup triumph in front of their home crowd. The Punjab player demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities as well as strong batsmanship.
However, there have been some questions over her future as India’s captain, particularly because she is currently 36 years old and nearing the end of her career. However, Anjum Chopra dismissed these rumors, claiming that Harmanpreet is still the finest choice to head this team.
“My personal view over the past so many years has been that Harmanpreet Kaur is a match-winner. I don’t think I need to say anything further. She’s the best person to lead this Indian team,” Chopra was quoted as saying by News18.
Chopra criticized recent demands by former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy to change the captain, stating that such views are personal.
“Everybody has their right to share what they feel… There’s nothing right or wrong. It’s just the timing of it. I still feel that she’s the correct person and the apt person to lead India,” Chopra explained.
Everybody wants to continue that winning momentum: Chopra
India and Sri Lanka will clash in a five-match T20 International series later this month. Chopra feels a little break to celebrate the World Cup may have been good but playing some cricket will help the Women in Blue keep going with the momentum.
“The quicker they get back into playing… everybody wants to continue that winning momentum. The moment you step back onto the park, you want to start exactly from where you left,” Chopra stated.
The former opener also discussed the evolving power dynamics in women’s cricket, drawing parallels with teams such as Australia and New Zealand.
“Power is not something that everybody is born with. There are certain players… like Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) and Richa(Ghosh)… the power they possess is possibly natural power,” the cricketer-turned-commentator noted.
However, Chopra added that batsmen can work to develop their power game at any time, which is critical in modern cricket.
“Power is something that you can always gain. And there are techniques, there is a proper training to it,” she said, adding that Indian players have made significant progress. “You can’t be chasing down 340 runs without having those big hits… they are improving on that.”
However, Anjum Chopra added that batsmen can work to develop their power game at any time, which is critical in modern cricket.
“Tournaments like the WPL, tournaments where the international players rub shoulders with our domestic players… that awareness will keep happening,” she said.
