India captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Saturday urged her team to keep things simple and trust their strengths as they look to avenge their defeat to Sri Lanka in the previous edition and clinch the Women’s Asia Cup title. India and Sri Lanka have been the two standout teams in the tournament and will meet in the final, with Harmanpreet insisting that there is little to choose between the sides on paper.
“Whenever you are playing a match which is so important to win the tournament, that day it is all about just playing on your strength and backing your strength,” Harmanpreet said at the pre-final press conference.
“Tomorrow’s match is all about trusting yourself and trying to make fewer mistakes on the field. They mean a lot to us and hopefully they will come and cheer for the teams tomorrow.” (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) “Rather than trying too many things and thinking of doing something extraordinary, it is all about sticking to your strength, backing yourself and trusting your gut feeling. “Last time when we played against Sri Lanka, they came up with some really solid plans and solid performances. “There is no doubt about any team being stronger or any team being lesser than anyone. It is all about playing good cricket on an important day. Harmanpreet has been particularly pleased with the way different members of the Indian squad have stepped up at different stages of the tournament. Harmanpreet also played down the importance of the toss, saying it was beyond a captain’s control. We have been playing here for almost two weeks. The India captain also called for composure in what promises to be a high-pressure final. The team which makes fewer mistakes in an important game has more chances to win. Harmanpreet was also hopeful of a strong turnout from Indian fans, saying their support can provide an additional boost to the players. “They have been our biggest strength whenever we are playing. They come and cheer for us. “When the stadium is packed, you feel more positive and you want to do more for your team.
Because we know how dangerous she is when she is batting, “We definitely want to take her wicket as soon as possible. Because toss is something which I feel is not in my control, “I don’t put any pressure on myself. India posted a competitive 165 but Sri Lanka overhauled the target with eight wickets to spare in an emphatic win in 2024.
Sri Lanka had defeated India in the final of the previous edition two years ago, but Harmanpreet said her team was not looking at the contest as a battle between a stronger and weaker team. T20 is all about on a given day who is going to play the best cricket, they are going to win,” she said. We want to come up with some solid plans against her, not only against her, but all the batters,” she said. We know the conditions, the pitch, and I think it is all about trusting your plans, trusting your gut feeling and backing them,” she said. “We have seen whenever we are trying to do something special or something extraordinary, we have always made so many mistakes,” she said. They play a big part in our lives,” she said.
Earlier reporting noted: ‘I don’t put any pressure on myself’: Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka Image credit: BCCI Women Earlier reporting noted: NEW DELHI: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur wants her team to keep things simple and trust their strengths when they face Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final on Sunday. “Everyone in the team is very important and their contribution means a lot to us. “Our batting unit came up in difficult situations and still managed to get runs on the board, while whenever we are bowling, our bowlers have come up with some really solid performances. “This pitch is a little tough to bat on, but at the same time we just need to back ourselves, back our strength. “Whoever is doing well on that day should take the responsibility and finish the game for the team. Settled batter needs to take responsibility Harmanpreet also praised Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, saying their ability to execute plans has made them particularly effective on the surface. “You have to really spend some time and then you can go for your shot. India and Sri Lanka have been the two best teams in the tournament and will now meet for the title. Harmanpreet believes there is very little between the two sides.
It is good to see that whoever is getting the opportunity, they are coming up with some really solid performances,” she said. The Indian skipper, however, acknowledged that batting on the Dubai surface has not been easy and said the key in the final would be for batters to spend time in the middle before looking to attack. We know we have such a good batting lineup,” she said. Whoever is settled, that person needs to take the responsibility and play till the end,” she said. Asked about Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu, Harmanpreet said India would look to dismiss the dangerous opener early but would not focus only on her. Earlier reporting noted: “Whenever you are playing a match which is so important to win the tournament, that day it is all about just playing on your strength and backing your strength,” Harmanpreet said at the pre-final press conference.
