As the Indian captain gears up for her ninth Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Harmanpreet Kaur expresses her desire to play with complete freedom. The 35-year-old veteran is among seven accomplished 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 debut in the T20 World Cup at just 19 years old in 2009, Harmanpreet emphasises her consistent mindset and eagerness to embrace the game unaided by external pressures. As the Indian women's team departed for the UAE on Tuesday, September 24, she shared her outlook during a pre-departure press conference attended by head coach Amol Muzumdar.
"I have played in so many World Cups, and the experience and atmosphere are entirely unique. It can't be compared to any bilateral series or tournaments," Harmanpreet remarked. "For me, this tournament feels the same, and I’m approaching it with the same excitement as I did at 19. I want to enjoy myself and play freely, not worry about the outcomes. If I focus on enjoying my cricket, I know I can make a significant impact."
Notably, Harmanpreet holds the distinction of being the only Indian player to score a century in the Women's T20 World Cup, achieving this milestone against New Zealand in 2018 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Throughout her T20 World Cup career, she has amassed 576 runs in 35 matches, averaging 20.57 with a strike rate of 107.66.
India will kick off their campaign on Friday, October 4, facing Sophie Devine's White Ferns at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.