India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, believes that the reason behind India’s inability to win big matches lies in the “mindset” of individual players, not their skills.
As India prepares to face West Indies in a T20I series, Harmanpreet opened up about how mental strength plays a crucial role in crunch games. She reflected on India’s recent defeats in key matches, such as the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka and a must-win T20 World Cup group-stage clash against Australia. Despite India’s talent and strong performances throughout the year, the team has faltered when it mattered most.
Mindset Over Skill: The Key to Big-Game Success
Harmanpreet firmly believes that India’s players have the talent to win big matches, but their mental approach makes the difference.
“I think it’s only the mindset because, if you see, our team has very good players,” she said. “All of them have done really well whenever they got the opportunity. But in the big games, it’s about how you feel individually. As a player, you have to deal with the pressure on your own and find a way to push through.”
Her comments shed light on the importance of mental preparation, especially in high-pressure situations. Team discussions and strategy sessions can only help to a certain extent. In the end, it’s up to the individual player to overcome pressure on the field.
“At the end of the day, it’s the individual performer’s mindset that matters,” Harmanpreet added. “It’s about how you plan to win the game for the team.”
A Year of Missed Opportunities for India
Despite a solid record of 13 wins from 20 T20I matches this year, India failed to deliver in the two most important fixtures of the season:
- Asia Cup 2024 Final: India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament but stumbled in the final against Sri Lanka. Smriti Mandhana was the lone warrior with the bat, while the rest of the batting lineup failed.
- T20 World Cup 2024: India needed to win a group-stage match against Australia to reach the semi-finals but lost despite Harmanpreet’s individual brilliance.
These setbacks have put a spotlight on India’s mental toughness. The need for players to step up and deliver in pressure situations has become a major talking point ahead of the T20I series against West Indies.
Tight Scheduling Adds to the Challenge
Adding to the pressure is the hectic schedule for India’s women cricketers. The team is returning from a 3-0 ODI series loss to Australia and has only a short turnaround before facing West Indies.
Harmanpreet acknowledged that this tight schedule makes it difficult for players to reflect on past performances and reset their mindset.
“It’s really tough when you’re going through this patch. After the game, only within four to five hours, we had to leave Australia and return to India. But as professionals, we have to stay motivated,” she explained.
The team held discussions during the flight back from Australia and also used a scheduled rest day to prepare mentally for the series against West Indies. This period of reflection and rest, she hopes, will help the players stay fresh and focused.
“Think when you have very little time, it’s difficult to come back and reflect on the things you have done in the past. Staying together as a team is something very important, which we have been doing,” she added.
Big Changes in the Squad — But No Clarity on Omissions
The squad for the T20I series against West Indies has seen some notable omissions, raising questions about the team selection process.
The most surprising exclusions were:
- Arundhati Reddy: India’s joint-highest wicket-taker at the T20 World Cup.
- Shafali Verma: The second-highest run-scorer for India in T20Is this year.
When asked about these decisions, Harmanpreet did not provide much clarity, suggesting that the selection process is beyond her control.
“I would say to ask the right person, because I can only talk about the team that’s here and how we can win this series,” she remarked.
This response has sparked speculation about possible changes in India’s strategy, particularly in light of the mental struggles the team has faced during key moments in major tournaments.
What’s Next for India?
As India gears up to face West Indies, the team will look to move past the recent disappointments and focus on rebuilding confidence. The key takeaway from Harmanpreet’s message is clear — winning big games isn’t just about skills but also about mindset and mental preparation.
If India’s players can overcome their mental barriers, they could be a force to reckon with in future tournaments. The upcoming T20I series against West Indies is the perfect opportunity for India to regain momentum, build confidence, and work on their mindset for bigger challenges ahead.