I’ve always enjoyed working with Ramesh sir whenever I got an opportunity – Harmanpreet Kaur
Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Thursday denied any fallout with Ramesh Powar who has been sacked as the head coach with under two months to go for the T20 World Cup.
Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Thursday denied any fallout with Ramesh Powar who has been sacked as the head coach with under two months to go for the T20 World Cup.
In a repeat of the 2018 adventure when Powar was replaced as the head coach after being at loggerheads with then captain Mithali Raj, the former India spinner once again faced the axe and was shunted to the National Cricket Academy, reportedly on request of Harmanpreet.
The Indian captain, however, categorically denied the reports of the rift and termed it a “decision” taken by the BCCI.
“Well, it’s nothing like that. I’ve always enjoyed working with Ramesh sir whenever I got an opportunity. We have learned a lot from him and grown as a team,”
she said on the eve of their five-match T20I series against Australia.
“It’s the BCCI’s decision who’s moved to NCA. He will work there as the spin coach, and whenever we’ll go to NCA, Ramesh sir is always available.”
The board has now roped in Hrishikesh Kanitkar as the batting coach of the team and he will be in charge of the series against Australia.
Former India all-rounder Kanitkar was in charge when they won a series in Sri Lanka and Harmanpreet said he’s the “apt candidate” for the job and that the team is in the right hands.
Hailing his “calmness”, she said:
“We had a very good experience with him when we were in Sri Lanka.
“He was always available whenever it was needed. He brings a lot of experience to the team. We are only looking forward and how we proceed further. We are in the right hands. We are fully okay with whatever decision BCCI is taking.
“He’s very calm. We needed someone who can give that calmness on the field. You would have seen that in the past at a crucial time, the girls need that support, someone who can guide with calmness and tell them what and how to do with some clear thoughts. We had experienced that in Sri Lanka.”
She further said the team was very excited when they got to know that Kanitkar was coming on board.
“It would have been difficult if it was a new coach, but we have already worked with Hrishi sir.
“I don’t think there will be any problem. If a new coach would have come we would have had to explain a lot of things, how we are working.
“He already knew the type of work we were doing. I don’t think there would be any major changes.” “When we got to know that he’s coming on board, the team got a lot of positivity because we liked the way he worked with us in Sri Lanka.”
“We discussed with him how to achieve our targets and we spoke about setting those small targets. He helped us in terms of how to execute plans.
“There were times on that tour when we lost early wickets, but we bounced back and scored big totals. He helped us in understanding how to bat in those circumstances.”
The Indian captain also talked about the BCCI’s decision to get pay equity which means the centrally-contracted men and women players would get the same match fee.
“It’s an outstanding decision taken by the BCCI. Equal pay is something that brings a lot of motivation to the current players and the upcoming stars.
“It gives us a lot of responsibility; we know many people are watching us whenever we go out and play. We want to give our 100 percent.” “Definitely, this was the first step. I’m sure there would be many more to come. I’m sure the BCCI must be thinking about (equal pay) in domestic cricket as well,”
Harmanpreet said.
“Domestic cricket is very important. Now, the Women’s IPL is coming, and all those things will be important for domestic cricketers. There is money involved, and with that, we will get a lot of good domestic matches. Things will come to you. We just need to perform.”
Next target, a global title Harmanpreet expressed their main objective is to win an ICC global title which has been missing from their trophy cabinet.
“We have to play good cricket now, taking a lot of responsibility as a team. In every tournament, we are reaching finals but we are yet to win that big trophy. But the way we are playing, a lot of things have changed in the country.”
Sneh Rana has been ignored for the series, but the Indian skipper said she’s still on the radar and can make a comeback with a good show in the domestic circuit.
“The members of the team have performed well; especially the new girls have done well in the domestic circuit. Anjali took the highest wickets and then other players have done well, selections depend on your performance.
“Rana and others are good players, whenever they perform, they will come back,”
she concluded.