Harmanpreet Kaur says she had no words to express after India’s victory

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed pride and emotion after India’s five-wicket semifinal win over Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup at Navi Mumbai, praising Jemimah Rodrigues’ match-winning century and the team’s focus, resilience, and determination to win the upcoming final

Hyderabad: Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur said she had no words to express herself after India scored a five-wicket against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinal at Navi Mumbai on Thursday night thanks to a brilliant, unbeaten century by Jemimah Rodrigues.

In a post-match interaction, Harmanpreet said she was feeling great for this time having crossed that line which they had been working towards for so many years.

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“We told each other that we have done this because we have been working so hard. Both of us are really proud of this team. We have that trust that any player can win any match from any situation,”the victorious captain said on what she shared with head coach Amol Muzumdar after the semifinal win.

“We made a few mistakes but we have been learning from our mistakes. Today, we wanted everything to go in our favor in every situation, and kept telling ourselves to be there for the team, and that worked for us,” Harmanpreet said.

“That day (against England) we realized we did not execute well. We were late by 2-3 overs, could have taken risks a few overs earlier and that cost us. That is what we discussed tonight, that we have to be calculative. Once you are out of the game, it is hard to come back,” Harmanpreet explained.

“I know it is 50 overs but the last five overs is where you have to be very particular and calculative. We knew that we had to do it in the same situation and we wanted to finish it before the 50th over,” she said.

“She (Rodrigues) is someone who always wants to do well for the team. Always very calculative and wants to take responsibility. We always have that trust in her. Both of us had a good time on the pitch. Whenever we were batting we were complementing each and other and calculating,” Harmanpreet said.

“Really enjoy batting with her. She is always telling me we got five runs, seven runs, two balls left. That shows how involved she is. Amazed to see how she was thinking. Lot of credit to her, to hold her nerve and keep batting for the team,” she said.

On reaching the World Cup final, Harmanpreet said one more game to go and that they all played well and were happy with the result in the semifinal.

“But, we have already started  speaking about the next game, that shows how focussed we are and how keen we are to win the World Cup,” the Indian skipper said.

“Playing at home in a World Cup is special, and we want to give back to our fans, families. One more game to go and we will give it our best,” Harmanpreet said.

Commenting on the huge crowd that turned up and lustily cheered the Indian team, she said they felt they were not playing alone. “They (crowds) are with us and every game, they are coming and pushing us. They have been amazing, even when we lost, we got messages that this World Cup is not done and we can change it. Entire country is with us,” Harmanpreet signed off.