As Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur gears up for her ninth Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE, she shares her determination to play with complete freedom. The 35-year-old veteran is one of seven distinguished cricketers—including Ellyse Perry, Chamari Athapaththu, Marizanne Kapp, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Stafanie Taylor—who have participated in every edition of this prestigious tournament.
Reflecting on her T20 World Cup debut at 19 in 2009, Harmanpreet highlights her consistent mindset and readiness to enjoy the game without succumbing to external pressures. Speaking at a pre-departure press conference on September 24, attended by head coach Amol Muzumdar, Harmanpreet shared her outlook.
"I've played in many World Cups, and the experience is unmatched—it’s unlike any bilateral series or tournament," Harmanpreet said. "This tournament feels just like it did when I was 19. I’m approaching it with the same excitement. I want to enjoy myself, play freely, and not worry about the outcomes. When I focus on enjoying the game, I know I can make a big impact."
Harmanpreet remains the only Indian player to score a century in a Women's T20 World Cup, a milestone she achieved against New Zealand in 2018 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Throughout her T20 World Cup career, she has scored 576 runs in 35 matches, with an average of 20.57 and a strike rate of 107.66.
India will begin their World Cup campaign on Friday, October 4, facing Sophie Devine’s White Ferns at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.