Harmanpreet Kaur announced as the Captain of Mumbai Indians
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is one of the most awaited domestic cricket tournaments in India, and it is all set to begin from March 4, 2023. In a recent development, the Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have announced Harmanpreet Kaur as the captain for their inaugural season.
Harmanpreet Kaur is one of the most successful players in world cricket and has been leading the Indian Women’s cricket team for quite some time now. She has been instrumental in leading India to many victories and will be hoping to replicate her success with the Mumbai Indians in the WPL.
The 33-year-old Kaur has an impressive record in T20I cricket, with 3058 runs in 151 matches. She is also an excellent fielder and can bowl off-spin, making her a valuable asset for any team. Mumbai Indians picked her up for a whopping INR 1.8 crore, making her the third-most expensive player for the team.
The Mumbai Indians will be playing their first match of the tournament against Gujarat Giants on March 4 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The team boasts of a plethora of talent, including the likes of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, and Amelia Kerr, among others. It will be interesting to see how the team lines up against the Giants and how Kaur leads the team in the tournament.
After Kaur’s appointment as captain, MI owner Nita Ambani expressed her excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to have Harmanpreet as the captain of Mumbai Indians’ first-ever women’s cricket team. As the national captain, she has led the Indian Women’s team to some of their most exciting wins. And I am sure that with Charlotte and Jhulan’s support, she will inspire our MI women’s team to play their best cricket, display a sense of pride, and bring even more glory to women in sports.”
Nita Ambani also added, “We are so looking forward to the beginning of this new chapter for MI! I can’t wait to see our girls play the fearless and entertaining MI brand of cricket that our fans adore. More power to Harmanpreet and the entire MI team on this exciting journey ahead!”
The Women’s Premier League is an important step towards promoting women’s cricket in India and providing a platform for talented players to showcase their skills. With the Mumbai Indians announcing Harmanpreet Kaur as their captain, it is clear that the team is looking to make a mark in the tournament and compete for the title. It will be exciting to see how the tournament unfolds and how Kaur leads the team in the WPL.
Harmanpreet Kaur is one of the most accomplished cricketers in the Indian Women’s cricket team. She was born on March 8, 1989, in Moga, Punjab. Kaur started playing cricket at a young age and made her debut for the Indian Women’s team in 2009.
Since then, Kaur has gone on to become one of the most consistent performers in the Indian Women’s team. She has played 124- One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 151 T20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. In ODIs, she has scored 3332 runs at an average of 38.18, while in T20Is, she has amassed 3058 runs at an average of 28.05.
Kaur is known for her explosive batting style and her ability to hit big sixes. She was the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to sign a Big Bash League (BBL) contract with Sydney Thunder in 2016. In the same year, she became the first Indian woman to score a century in T20I cricket.
Kaur’s biggest moment came in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia. She played an unbeaten knock of 171 off just 115 balls, which is the second-highest score by any player in a Women’s World Cup knockout match. Her innings helped India reach the final of the tournament, where they eventually lost to England.
In addition to her batting skills, Kaur is also a handy off-spinner. She has picked up 31 wickets in ODIs and 32 wickets in T20Is. Kaur is also a brilliant fielder and has taken some stunning catches in her career.
Apart from her performances on the field, Kaur is also a role model for many aspiring cricketers in India. She has inspired a generation of young girls to take up cricket and has been vocal about the need for more opportunities for women in cricket.
In recognition of her contributions to Indian cricket, Kaur was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2017. She was also named the captain of the Indian Women’s T20I team in 2019.
With Harmanpreet Kaur now named as the captain of the Mumbai Indians for the Women’s Premier League, there is no doubt that she will continue to lead by example and inspire many more young cricketers in the country.
