Harmanpreet: 'Playing back-to-back matches is quite an experience'

Despite being on the road for nearly two months - two series wins in South Africa followed by a disappointing 0-3 ODI series defeat against Australia - Harmanpreet is 'enjoying' the experience.

Published : Mar 24, 2018 15:59 IST , mumbai

Harmanpreet underlined the importance of riding the momentum since it is hard to come back in the shorter formats.
Harmanpreet underlined the importance of riding the momentum since it is hard to come back in the shorter formats.
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Harmanpreet underlined the importance of riding the momentum since it is hard to come back in the shorter formats.

Indian women’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur is happy to play a host of matches, something that the team has missed all these years with a considerable gap between two international series.

Despite being on the road for nearly two months - two series wins in South Africa followed by a disappointing 0-3 ODI series defeat against Australia - Harmanpreet is 'enjoying' the experience.

READ: Indian women hope for change in fortune against England

“No, not at all (the team is not feeling fatigued). We are all enjoying the back-to-back games. We were expecting this from the BCCI,” she said before adding, “This is a learning experience for us. Earlier, we were not used to getting back-to-back games. There used to be a six to a 6-8 month gap between two series. Any individual will not be able to settle down in a particular role."

“When you play so many games in quick succession, you know how to make a comeback quickly. The team is not fatigued. Everybody is fit.

"Playing back-to-back matches is quite an experience,” explained the hard-hitting right-handed batter.

Harmanpreet praised vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s form while taking the six-wicket defeat against Australia in the series opener in her stride.

“Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game. When we win, the mistakes get covered up while after defeat, the good things are hidden.”

“If you see the last match, we did not win, but Smriti (Mandhana’s) innings, Jhulan di’s comeback, she bowled well, and the fielding improved after lapses in the ODI series (against Australia).

“There were a lot of positive signs. What we had decided about our approaches and what needs to improve, those things are happening,” the 29-year-old said.

Harmanpreet also underlined the importance of riding the momentum since it is hard to come back in the shorter formats.

Meanwhile, veteran Mithali Raj has blown hot and cold at the top of the order, but Harmanpreet remained uncommitted on whether a batting rejig was in the offing.

“Our team meeting is yet to happen. When a flop innings happens, talks like this (demoting her) happen, but she has played good innings for the team. We can’t hurry (on the decision) because of one match. Batting and bowling line-up will change as per the need of the team."

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