Harmanpreet Kaur (Source:@AFP)
As Harmanpreet Kaur and Team India prepare for their Women’s World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on September 30 in Guwahati, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has made it clear that the team's primary focus will be on playing cricket. She brushed aside any off-field noise, particularly regarding their high-profile fixture against Pakistan.
Harmanpreet on facing Pakistan in Women’s World Cup
Speaking to the media during the ICC Media Day, where captains from all eight participating teams addressed the press, Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the importance of concentrating on cricket and nothing else.
"Right now, our main focus is on the opening game because that is very important. The opening game is always very important for any team. Our focus is on that because that game is going to set the tone for us.
She also highlighted that for Team India, all rivals are the same, and they will not entertain anything else on the field.
“Secondly, all the teams are equally important. We can only control things that we can control. We're here to play cricket, and our main focus is on cricket. We're not going to entertain anything else on the field because we're here to play the game, and our focus will remain on playing cricket,” Kaur told reporters in Bengaluru.
It is important to note that India Women will enter the tournament after a disappointing warm-up match defeat to England, where they were handed a 152-run loss.
The India and Pakistan encounter in the Women’s World Cup is scheduled for October 5 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This is undoubtedly one of the most-awaited fixtures of the tournament.
However, the backdrop to this match has become increasingly charged, after a series of fiery on-field contests between the India and Pakistan in the ongoing Men's 2025 Asia Cup.
The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup features eight top teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. are viewed as one of the frontrunners to reach the knockout stages, but will need a strong start to build momentum.
