Harmanpreet urges team to take responsibility ahead of Asia Cup final
India are looking to regain the Asia Cup title when they face Sri Lanka in the final.
Harmanpreet Kaur has urged her team to stand up and be counted as they take on Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday.
India have relied heavily on their openers -- Smriti Mandhana (154 runs) and Shafali Varma (168) for the runs and the skipper would want to see the middle order join the party in the big match.
"We know we have such a good batting line-up, and I think when you have such a good batting line-up, it is only about whoever is doing well on that day," Harmanpreet said.
"That person should take responsibility and finish the game for the team. I think that is the key on this pitch."
India have found match winners in different player this tournament which is one aspect that has pleased the captain the most going into the final.
"It is good to see that whoever gets the opportunity is coming up with solid performances," she said.
"We have managed to get runs on the board and our bowlers are coming up with some really solid performances. So overall, I'm really happy with the way we have played so far."
Sunday's final is a repeat of the 2024 showpiece, in which Sri Lanka stunned India to lift the title, and Harmanpreet is bracing for a similarly tough contest.
"I think the last time we played against Sri Lanka, they came up with some really solid plans and performances," Harmanpreet said.
"Winning in T20 cricket is all about who plays better cricket on the day."
Athapaththu eyes second triumph
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, meanwhile, praised the contribution of her middle order through the tournament, singling out the performances of Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Samarawickrama and senior batter Nilakshi Silva.
"The way they batted in the middle overs is amazing, they absorbed the pressure," Athapaththu said.
"There has been pressure in the middle every time, so it is a really good sign."
Having led Sri Lanka to a title triumph in 2024, Athapaththu also reflected on what retaining the trophy would mean for the women's game back home.
"After winning the last Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, it was really good for women's cricket in Sri Lanka," she said.
"The people's mindset, especially the spectators and the board, everyone realised that our girls are playing really good cricket. So if we win this time, it's really good for women's cricket in Sri Lanka as well."