Top News

On Sunday at Edgbaston, India’s Harmanpreet Kaur sees balance in the squad as vital. Not just picking players, but shaping how they play together matters most. The middle phase of innings could decide their path forward. Facing Pakistan opens the tournament, a match charged with history. As holders of the ODI title, expectations weigh in. Fine control during those crucial overs might tip things their way. Preparation meets pressure early in this World Cup run.

Playing in her tenth Women’s T20 World Cup now, Harmanpreet mentioned the squad has tried different options, testing several players ahead of locking in their best lineup. With India’s win at the 2025 ODI World Cup raising hopes even higher, she admitted the spotlight burns brighter – yet the group stands ready to carry it.

Harmanpreet Kaur stresses middle overs, Smriti Mandhana eyes another title

“For me, as a team, the most important thing is to play as many matches as possible, give equal opportunities to all the players, and then finalize your best playing XI. That is very important,” Harmanpreet Kaur said while speaking on JioStar.

“In terms of tactics, there is a lot of attention on the Powerplay and the last few overs, but I feel it is the middle overs that control the entire game. So, how you fare in that phase is critical. That’s why you need to identify your best players, those who can handle pressure in that period, and prepare accordingly.”

He pointed out how India’s winning streak now draws more attention. Still, it wasn’t just praise – closer looks come along with it.
“There will be pressure on us because we have now set a standard for ourselves after winning the World Cup. Everybody, especially our Indian fans, will be watching us more closely,” she added.

Second-in-command Smriti Mandhana nodded along, calling the squad sharper now, more driven to grab a fresh ICC prize. Hunger runs deeper this time around.
“More than anything, I feel this team is really hungry. Everyone looks determined to do the right things and, for sure, we would like to carry our form into the T20 World Cup,” Mandhana said.

Starting out front, she broke down how her job’s shifted over time – now it’s less about settling in, more about seizing those first six overs. Depending on how things unfold, she tweaks her rhythm, stays loose, reads the moment. Early aggression matters now way more than before, especially when the fielders are packed back.

What shifted things most was learning how to work the Powerplay smarter. Over six through ten, choices matter more now – how fast to go, when to hold back. That stretch shapes everything, no matter if we’re setting a total or running one down.

“There is just one mindset – to do well for India in whatever situation the team requires. If needed, I can anchor the innings or be the aggressor. That’s my job.”

What stands out is how deep India’s lineup runs. Not just one or two, but several can shift gears fast – Shafali Verma charging hard, Richa Ghosh finding gaps cleanly, Harmanpreet holding the middle steady yet swift. Power isn’t limited to the top; it spreads through the order, showing up in bursts when least expected.

“Then we have the likes of Shafali, Richa and Harman. We have so many power-hitters coming in later. Even Jemimah and I, in our own ways, can find a way to play at a similar strike rate,” she said.

Jemimah: Winning Has Become an Addiction

Success in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup hasn’t slowed Jemimah Rodrigues down one bit. Instead, it’s made her hungrier. The win lit a fire rather than calming nerves. Every run since feels heavier, more urgent. Goals stretch further now. Past glory pushes forward motion. What happened on the field echoes beyond trophies.

Last year, India finally claimed an ODI World Cup, ending years of hoping and waiting. That win, Jemimah mentioned, shifted something deep inside the team’s space.

“What has happened with that World Cup win is that it has empowered us to be motivated to do even better,” Jemimah said.
“When you win one, and it may sound like a negative word, it is almost like an addiction – you want to win another one. It pushes you even more.”

A fresh mindset drives her strategy now. Her game will shift toward bolder moves throughout the event. This change marks a personal turning point. We can expect sharper decisions when she steps onto the court.
Thinking like a hitter means adjusting your approach. When playing T20s instead of longer games, decisions matter more because chances come faster. Because every ball counts, choices shape results quicker than before.

“For me, it is about being smart with when to take those risks and how to put the bowlers and the opposition under pressure. That will be my mindset,” she added.

Confidence rides alongside India as they step into the showdown with Pakistan. Momentum builds from what came before. Recent wins whisper possibility – not just victory, but change. This moment feels less like an endpoint, more like the first breath of something different in women’s cricket.