‘Harmanpreet, Shafali will play crucial roles v Australia’

Harmanpreet Kaur

Former Indian women's team head coach WV Raman and ex-India wicketkeeper-batsman Syed Saba Karim are confident that India will beat Australia in the three-match women's T20I series, beginning on Thursday at the Gold Coast.

Karim, who was general manager, cricket operations at BCCI and used to look after women's cricket, pointed out that fit-again skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's form will play a crucial role. Harmanpreet was ruled out of the recent ODI series and the day-night Test against Australia due to a thumb injury.

WV Raman and Syed Saba Karim. Pics/AFP, Suresh Karkera

‘An essential player'

"It will be a challenge, but I think with the kind of experience Harman has, I am sure she will adapt to the conditions quite easily. I'm sure she is working hard in the practice sessions to get fit and also to become match fit. She remains an essential player for the Indian team. She is the captain of the T20I side and she needs to lead from the front," Karim told mid-day during a virtual media interaction on Tuesday when asked if it would be a challenge for Kaur to perform without any match practice.

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"I am looking at Harman to strike rich form. Being a captain, you do have the responsibility, but one should not forget that you are in the side purely as a batter, so the team expects you to contribute with match-winning performances on a regular basis. So for me the No.1 [player] would be Harman. I think in the middle overs and to play right till the death, you need the experience of Harman to come good for India on a regular basis," added Karim, going on to predict a 2-1 series win in India's
favour.

For Raman, however, India's trump card in this series will be young and attacking opener Shafali Verma.

Raman: Foes fear Shafali

"I think Shafali will play a big role. She can really attack and take the game away from the opposition. Smriti Mandhana obviously is in good form and hopefully, she will continue. But, Shafali has that demon, that aura and people fear her. I have seen that happen. So, I think she will play a major role when it comes to the T20Is," said Raman.

The Women's T20I series between India and Australia will be live on Sony Six and Sony Ten 3

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