Cape Town : The Women’s Premier League auction is about to take place but the focus of the Indian team is on the first match of the T20 World Cup against Pakistan in which they would like to repeat the success of the Under-19 team. The auction for the Women’s IPL is in Mumbai on February 13 while the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan will be held here on February 12.
“We have very important matches to play before the auction and our focus is on that,” Harmanpreet said at the T20 World Cup captains’ press conference. He said, “This World Cup is the most important. Our focus is on the ICC trophy. All these things keep going and a player knows what is important for him and how to maintain focus. “We are mature enough to know what is important to us,” he said.
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Under the captaincy of Shafali Verma, the Indian team won the first Under-19 World Cup last month. The senior team also wants to repeat this success. Harmanpreet said, “We are inspired after watching the U-19 World Cup. He has inspired us to perform well. It was a special moment for all of us and her success will inspire many more girls to take up cricket which has always been our goal.” The Indian skipper hoped that the Women’s IPL would contribute to the development of women’s cricket in India in the same way that the Women’s Big Bash or The Hundred have done in Australia and England.
“It is a big day for us as we have been waiting for this for years. The next two to three months are very important. We have seen how the Women’s Big Bash League and The Hundred have helped the development of women’s cricket in those countries. Hopefully this will happen in our country as well.” Harmanpreet, who has played Kia Super League, Women’s Big Bash League, The Hundred, said, “Playing with international players is a different experience. When I got this opportunity, it was life changing. Other girls will be able to feel it too. This will be a golden opportunity to improve my game.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine and Australia skipper Mag Lanning feel it is strange to have an auction during the T20 World Cup. Devine said that it would be difficult to divert the attention of the players from this. He said, “It would be strange. Some players will be selected and some will not. You will know your worth which is strange but it is also a job and we have also given our names for the league.
He said, “It is a unique experience. But it is true that it will distract the attention but we have to keep the focus. It’s a big moment for women’s cricket and I’m looking forward to it.” The entire 15-man squad of Australia has named for the league. Each team will have seven foreign players, one of whom will be from an associate country. (agency)