Harmanpreet Kaur, India women’s skipper, says Ramesh Powar’s presence has boosted mindset

Harmanpreet Kaur’s India women’s cricket team has been in magnificent form in the ongoing women’s World T20 in West Indies. They head into the semi-final against England high on confidence, going through the league stages undefeated and defeating three-time world champions Australia by a confident margin. However, Harmanpreet has credited the team’s positive mindset to coach Ramesh Powar. The former India offspinner took over from former coach Tushar Arothe in controversial circumstances after senior members had voiced concern over Arothe’s training methods following their dip in performance following the 2017 World Cup. Since the arrival of Powar, the upswing in India’s fortunes has been visible, reaching the semi-final of the World T20 for the first time since 2010.

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“We have better plans and we can aim bigger now.The self-belief (is different). I can give credit to Ramesh (Powar), because from the time he joined our team, our mindset and approach has totally changed,” Harmanpreet said.

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The semi-final will be against England and the match has been touted as a ‘revenge’ match for India, who lost in the final of the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s by nine runs. In that match, Anya Shrubsole took 6/46 to break India’s hearts and deny them their maiden World Cup title. Harmanpreet, though, is taking it as another game.

“We need to live in the present. At present, we're doing really well, I think. Other than thinking about the past, we just need to think what we need to do in the next game,” the Indian women’s skipper said.

However, Heather Knight, the England captain, will be aware of India’s threat in the semi-final and added the results of the 2017 World Cup final will have no bearing in the semi-final at North Sound. “We take confidence from the fact that we performed in knockout matches before, but I don't think it (the 50-over final) counts for anything with the game tomorrow. It's a different format, different team for India, different captain. It's all going to be about tomorrow. We know T20 cricket, it's whoever turns up on the day? It's about us going out and putting on a really strong performance, showing the good things that we've done,” Knight said.

England have defeated India in all four contests in the World T20 but Knight will be aware of the threat posed by India’s batters, notably Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet as well as the spin bowlers, notably Poonam Yadav who has been in top form.