Kaur exudes confidence ahead of India's CWC25 opener
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur speaks ahead of the much-awaited ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opening fixture in Guwahati.
While there are huge expectations from India to go all the way in the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at home, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur believes there is no pressure within the group for the marquee tournament.
Speaking ahead of India’s opening game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 30 in Guwahati, Kaur told reporters, “Well yeah, this World Cup is going to happen (in India) after 12 years, but no pressure at all, we’re all looking really well.
“The practice games we played, we tried to tick all the boxes. So we all are very excited that we get to play a World Cup in home conditions.”
'No pressure', says Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of home World Cup opener | CWC25
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur speaks ahead of their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 opener against Sri Lanka in Guwahati.
India arrive into the tournament’s first contest on the back of a four-wicket win over New Zealand in their last warm-up fixture ahead of the Cricket World Cup. The hosts had suffered a loss at the hands of England in their first warm-up match.
Kaur believes that home support and familiar conditions put India in good stead at the marquee tournament.
Lauding the fans, Kaur added, “They have been outstanding, they have been supporting us all the time, no matter what.
“They’re always coming and cheering us on. I think home conditions and a home World Cup is always very special and I’m sure they’re gonna come here and support us.”
Scene set for World Cup opener | India v Sri Lanka | Will to Win Preview Show | CWC25
Check out the Will to Win Preview Show for the opening match at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup between India and Sri Lanka.
A particularly impressive feature in the Kaur-led Indian side is the presence of a strong spin unit. India’s tweakers have the most ODI wickets than any of their counterparts since the 2022 Cricket World Cup - 161 wickets from 38 outings.
“Well, spinners have always been our biggest strength, they were always there when the team needed them,” the 36-year-old said.
“No doubt, we’ve shown more trust in them and they’ve always done well for the team but today we have a practice session, we will see how the pitch is behaving and the conditions and according to that take a decision on who to pick in the playing XI.”
Kaur is also positive that since last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, India’s preparations in the lead-up to this Cricket World Cup has allowed them to thrive in ODIs.
“I think we’ve played more ODI cricket, for sure after the T20 World Cup and in all these matches, we won most of them and that gives us a lot of confidence to do well in ODI cricket.
“Our team has always done well in the format, we have a lot of experience as this group has played together for so many years.”
India and Sri Lanka will set the Women’s Cricket World Cup alight in the opening game at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.