Kaur targets T20 World Cup triumph as India prepares for England series
With the final set for Lord’s, Harmanpreet Kaur aims to complete a career full-circle moment following India’s maiden ODI title.
Indian cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has signalled strong confidence within the squad as the team prepares for the upcoming T20I series against England. Fresh from receiving the Padma Shri award in New Delhi on Monday for leading India to the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup title, Kaur emphasised that the previous victory has fundamentally altered the team’s psychological approach to high-stakes matches.
The three-match series in Chelmsford serves as a critical preparation phase for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England. Kaur, who is 37 years old, is set to participate in her 10th edition of the tournament and will captain the side for a fifth consecutive time. Despite her extensive experience, the T20 World Cup title remains the final major accolade missing from her decorated career.
Kaur highlighted the significance of the potential final at Lord’s, describing it as a "dream come true" given her history with the venue. She made her T20I debut in England during the 2009 World Cup at Taunton, where she scored eight runs in a heavy 10-wicket defeat. Seventeen years later, she views the prospect of lifting the trophy at the iconic ground as a full-circle moment for both herself and the Indian women’s team.
The skipper noted that the mindset shift following the 2025 ODI triumph has been substantial. According to Kaur, the earlier win provided the squad with essential belief and the ability to handle pressure in closing out big games. She stated that this confidence is expected to translate directly into performance during the T20 World Cup campaign.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin on June 14 with a match against Pakistan in Birmingham. Kaur stressed that the current series against England is vital for fine-tuning team combinations and adapting to local conditions before the tournament commences.
