Before friday

Star Sports Press Room: Ahead of India’s must-win Group A clash against Pakistan in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, veteran leg-spinner Poonam Yadav said captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been a more successful batter at number four or five, instead of being at number three. In Friday’s campaign opener, where India suffered a heavy 58-run defeat, Harmanpreet could make only 15 runs as a No.3 batter, a move decided before leaving for the UAE, which brought mixed reactions.

In the practice matches against South Africa and the West Indies, Harmanpreet managed to make an 11-ball 10 and one off three balls respectively. Before Friday’s game at the Dubai International Stadium, Harmanpreet had just 18 games at No.3 – the last of which came in February 2023 against Ireland - scoring 298 runs overall at an average of 21.28.

“If we talk experience-wise, then Harmanpreet Kaur has loads of experience. But if she bats at number five, - like if you look at the game against New Zealand in 2018, where she played a knock of 103, it came from that position. So, the more successful position for her has been batting at number four and five, as she’s capable of smashing big hits needed for the team and finishes off the game well.”