Sabyasachi Bagchi: Indian woman cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur kept her promise to Diana Edulji. Harmanpreet, whose whirlwind innings took India past six times Champion Australia to reach the Women’s World Cup final made a promise before the semi finals to the COA member Edulji.
“I have been talking with her throughout the World Cup. I was a little concerned as she wasn’t playing to her potential. But she promised me to give me something special. I am happy it came at the right moment.”
On being asked what is so impressive about Harmanpreet, Diana immediately prompted, “Her power-hitting.”
The cricket world witnessed one of the most brutal power hitting Woman’s Cricket has ever witnessed. Harmanpreet scored 171 runs in just 115 balls which included 20 hits to the fence and 7 towering sixes. It was Diana who was instrumental in giving Kaur the perfect break.
According to Diana, “I always thought she needs to play for Western Railway. She didn’t want to leave Northern Railway (read Punjab). But I insisted her to join Western Railways. I told her that what she will get even better opportunities than what she is being offered at Western Railways. I got her the top post in Group C as a very special case and after talking with the Chairman of the Railways Board.”
The former captain of the Indian women’s team is not surprised at all to see Harmanpreet losing her cool when she nearly ran herself out on 99* due to a miscommunication with Deepti Sharma.
According to Edulji, “She (Harmanpreet) always has an aggressive attitude. That was a sudden outburst as she was focused to see India post a huge total. I am glad that they settled down after the match. They also had words with each other.”
Speaking about the influence of Women’s Big Bash League, Diana said, “That has played a huge part in boosting their confidence. Both Harmanpreet and Smriti are transformed cricketers now.”
Harmanpreet looked to be in some discomfort towards the end of her innings yesterday. She did not take the field either. But Diana confirms, “I had a word with her. She is absolutely fit and promised me she will play the final.”
Last one year the performance of the womans cricket has taken a steep rise. Commenting on the growth in Women’s cricket in the country, Diana said, “Woman’s cricket has taken a giant leap in the last one year. The woman cricketers now have financial security, job security and central contracts. Now they know they can make a career. It is high time we encourage them to do well.
The Committee of Administrators will be meeting in Delhi tomorrow and one of the agenda will be promote Women’s cricket in the country.
“We are in talks of having a Woman’s IPL. It is still in the drawing board. But now we need to look at it seriously. To start with we need to have a 5 team affair. It will encourage more cricketers to come out and play. We will tap in a lot more talent.I am happy that the women’s are getting good coverage and they has responded well by coming to the final. This is like a stepping stone just like Kapil’s Devils has inspired the entire nation into cricket in 1983.”