Harmanpreet Kaur expressed a desire to "slow down" following an intense period of cricket late last year. After taking a break—she was rested during the Ireland series—the captain of both India and the Mumbai Indians is now eager to regain momentum as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to commence on February 14.

Currently in Mumbai to reunite with her MI team, which won the inaugural season and has welcomed new talents, including 16-year-old U-19 World Cup champion G Kamalini, Harmanpreet, 35, shared her thoughts in an interview with HT regarding the importance of granting freedom to young players at MI and her reasons for needing a respite.

Are you feeling refreshed and eager after a brief hiatus?

Indeed. Engaging in cricket continuously can sometimes become overwhelming. Therefore, I truly appreciated this break. It allowed me to slow down my life a bit. I had the opportunity to spend quality time with my family, and now I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.

How do you manage to slow down... completely disconnecting from the game?

As international cricketers, it is not feasible to entirely detach from cricket, as maintaining fitness is crucial. I continued to visit the National Cricket Academy every other week for training. However, taking 2-3 days off to engage in activities I enjoyed during my youth was beneficial. I reunited with my family after two years; they had been in Canada with my sister. This was the perfect moment for a break, and the BCCI was supportive of my decision.

You have an impressive record in the WPL (549 runs, average 45.75, strike rate 137.9). Do you find yourself playing with more freedom?

For me, fostering a positive atmosphere is essential, and I have aimed to replicate that at the international level. It is important to create an environment where everyone enjoys cricket, regardless of the expectations we face. In the inaugural season, it was straightforward and clear. The people around me were eager to alleviate pressure, allowing me the freedom to play my game. This support significantly contributed to my success, and we are striving to maintain that same approach while representing India.

MI has retained the core team from last season. How beneficial is that?

We aimed to keep our core intact. Our performance in the first season was commendable, and we wish to build upon that foundation. We only sought to incorporate a few domestic players who had excelled.

Three of MI’s four new signings at the mini-auctions were Indian players...

I have only received positive feedback regarding their contributions during the camp over the past few days. I intend to grant them as much freedom as possible, as that is vital for a player's development. Additionally, clarity in roles is crucial; when players understand the team's expectations, they are better equipped to deliver.

Kamalini made headlines with her ₹1.60cr auction price and at the U-19 World Cup. How impressed have you been with her?

I had the opportunity to witness her participation in the U-19 World Cup, and prior to that, I had viewed her videos through MI. I have yet to meet her in person, and I am genuinely looking forward to it. Previously, developing power-hitters was quite challenging. However, now young girls are well aware of the team's requirements and the demands of international cricket, and they prepare themselves accordingly. This evolution simplifies our responsibilities at both the international and franchise levels. It is encouraging to observe that these young athletes possess the ability to hit sixes and understand the style of cricket they need to adopt. This has been evident over the past few years. Since the inception of the WPL, our players have been incorporating these skills into their repertoire, which is a promising development.

In collaboration with you and coach Charlotte Edwards, what role does the MI leadership group play in nurturing domestic talent?

We strive to provide them with the appropriate platform and training. Sajana (Sajeevan) serves as an exemplary case. She has effectively capitalized on every opportunity presented to her, successfully advancing to the international level. Our efforts are significant, but ultimately, it is up to the players to determine how they progress.

MI secured the championship in the inaugural season and finished third last year. Are you confident about building on this success?

Absolutely. In the first season, when a team performs well, there are often areas that may be overlooked. Sometimes, there is a reluctance to alter strategies that have yielded positive results. Last season, as a collective, we recognized the need for adjustments to maintain our success. This season, we have made efforts to address those areas. I am confident that this team possesses the talent necessary to achieve success once more.

The retention of the U-19 Women’s World Cup by India must have been gratifying for you...

When we clinched the first World Cup in 2023, there was a sense of nervousness and curiosity regarding our team's performance. This time, however, we were all at ease, knowing the strength of our team. I am certain they felt the weight of expectation. Winning a second time always brings additional pressure, as there is a desire to replicate success. Nevertheless, from my perspective, I was confident that this team was robust enough to secure victories convincingly, and they accomplished just that.

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