Harmanpreet hopeful of breaking Women in Blue’s World Cup jinx

India has made it to the Women’s ODI World Cup final twice — in 2005 and 2017 — but the title eluded it both times.

As the Women in Blue gear up for another International Cricket Council (ICC) event, beginning at home from September 30, captain Harmanpreet Kaur hopes to break the title jinx this time around.

“Playing in front of a home crowd is always special, and hopefully, this time we will give our 100 per cent and finally break that barrier that all Indian fans are waiting for,” said Harmanpreet, on the sidelines of the 50-day countdown event for the World Cup, here on Monday.

Fresh from a 2-1 series win over England in the Old Blighty, India’s team composition looks sorted. Harmanpreet believes the three-match ODI series against Australia at home, leading up to the tournament, will only boost the team’s morale.

“Playing against Australia is always challenging, and we get to know where we stand. The series will give us a lot of confidence. We have been putting a lot of effort into our training camps and the results are showing,” she said.

India finished third in 2009 and seventh in 2013 in the mega event. However, in 2017, it came agonisingly close to clinching the title, before losing to England at Lord’s in the summit clash.

That tournament gave Indian women’s cricket a much-needed boost.

Harmanpreet’s deputy and senior opener Smriti Mandhana added: “As a team, we are preparing really well. We had preparatory camps and an amazing England tour. We know our fans will come and support us. We are doing the best we can, and the rest will take care of itself.”

The event also had India batter Jemimah Rodrigues, former India captain Mithali Raj, former India men’s all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, ICC chairman Jay Shah and the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in attendance among others.

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