As the Women's Premier League (WPL) gears up for its fourth season, the spotlight shines brightly on Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain synonymous with victory for the Mumbai Indians. With two WPL titles already under her belt and the historic ICC Women's ODI World Cup triumph last year, Kaur is poised to lead her team's charge for another championship, starting with a high-voltage clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru this Friday night.
Unwavering Ambition for More Silverware
Addressing the media in Mumbai during the team's pre-season conference, Harmanpreet Kaur left no doubt about her ambitions. "Whenever I go on the field, I tell my team that I want to win the trophy," she declared. She expressed that the new year brings the same energy and excitement, with the WPL being its starting point. The mindset within the camp remains unchanged: to clinch the title once more. "We have won two trophies in the last three seasons, and we want to play well this season and win the trophy again," she added, underscoring the franchise's dominant legacy.
Her connection with the city of Mumbai has deepened over years of success. "Mumbai has always been special to me. It's a special city and I've had a lot of positive results here," Kaur reflected. She hopes this season will be equally special, building on a phenomenal previous year that significantly elevated the profile of women's cricket in India.
WPL: A Crucible for International Success
Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the critical role the WPL plays in preparing players for the international arena. She pointed out that the intense competition and high-quality cricket in the league provide invaluable experience. "When you perform well there, you face the same players at the international level. Those performances stay in everyone's mind, and that helps you do well in international cricket too," she explained.
She also highlighted the importance of consistent match exposure for building player confidence, a luxury that wasn't as available in the past. "The more cricket you play, the more your confidence grows. Earlier, players didn't get as many matches as they do now," Kaur noted. This increased platform, she believes, is instrumental in developing a larger, more experienced talent pool for the national team.
Franchise Praise and a Growing Talent Pool
Mumbai Indians' mentor and bowling coach, the legendary Jhulan Goswami, praised the franchise's empowering environment. "It's a blessing to work here. There is so much experience within the group and we can learn a lot under this leadership," Goswami said. She particularly valued the franchise's commitment to promoting women in leadership roles, stating, "At MI, we believe women should always come forward, and having an all-female coaching team is a great thing for us."
Reflecting on the broader growth of the women's game, Harmanpreet Kaur drew a stark contrast with the past. "Four or five years ago, there was a group of just 20 to 25 players, but now there is a much larger pool. We are happy to have more talent around," she said, acknowledging the transformative impact of leagues like the WPL. As the defending champions prepare for their opening battle, the message from the captain and the camp is clear: the hunger for victory is as strong as ever.
