Memories fresh from Navi Mumbai as Harmanpreet eyes Australia
India have confidence from their semi-final victory over Australia at last year's 50-over World Cup ahead of their blockbuster showdown with the Aussies in north London.
It didn't take long for India captain Harmanpreet Kaur to turn her attention to Sunday's must-win contest against Australia at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Just moments after India defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in Manchester, Harmanpreet was quickly asked about the upcoming match at Lord's that will determine whether her side reaches the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup.
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A wry smile entered Harmanpreet's face as the India captain recalled last year's thrilling semi-final triumph over Australia in Navi Mumbai that helped set the team up for their maiden 50-over ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title.
"I think the last win against them in Navi Mumbai, that has given us a lot of confidence and a broken lot of barriers," Harmanpreet recalled with pride.
"And hopefully we'll play our best cricket on that day (Sunday against Australia)."
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It will be just shy of eight months to the day of India's victory over Australia at the 50-over World Cup when the two teams meet in London on Sunday, with the two rivals having also met in a three-game T20I series Down Under at the start of this year that Harmanpreet's side won 2-1.
The two teams know each other extremely well and Harmanpreet admitted India enjoy testing themselves against Australia and always lift their game when taking on the six-time T20 World Cup champions.
"They (Australia) are one of our favourite opposition and hopefully our best will come on that day (Sunday)," Harmanpreet added.
"We know that these tournaments when every game is must win and sometimes when things that doesn't go your way, you have to at this point, you have to, give your best.
"And I think that game is very important. And if we win that, I think we will definitely get a lot of confidence from that."
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Anything less than victory will unlikely prove enough for India to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, with 2024 runners up South Africa taking on Bangladesh earlier in the day on Sunday and also chasing a spot in the final four.
And Harmanpreet knows India will need to be at their best to defeat Australia, especially in the field after they grassed a host of gettable chances in their match against Bangladesh.
"I think (we need to improve) a lot of things, but fielding is something on which we have been working really hard," Harmanpreet noted.
"Unfortunately, today again, we were not very great with the catches and hopefully next game is very important. And I think that is the day to show our best cricket."