'Bindaas' Harmanpreet Kaur enjoying the media attention

Harmanpreet Kaur has been setting an example for all women cricketers on and off the field. While the batsman is destructive with the bat on the 22 yards, her uber cool personality has been a charm on social media. The 28-year-old is outright smart while dealing with the media and has taken up the ‘hashtag’ language which has been much of craze in recent times.

She has grabbed a lot of attention during the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup as Harmanpreet is all set to become the first Indian to take part in the Women’s Super League. The tournament is scheduled to kick off in August and Harmanpreet will don the jersey of the Surrey stars. She also became the first Indian to get the opportunity to play in the Big Bash last year which will make it easy for her to adapt to the Super League.

On how the team has been dealing with the media:

“We are bindaas (cool). We knew that this will happen,” said Kaur. “Our seniors always told us that when you do well, the media and people will come to you on their own. So we are prepared; it is not that we have not seen or heard this attention.”

There has been a significant rise in the number of followers the Women cricket stars are having on their social handles. Mithali Raj started the tournament with only 3000 followers on Twitter, but now has a staggering face of 50,000. Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant performance and her infectious smile have got her 30,000 fans while Harmanpreet Kaur stands third on the list with her share of 20,000.

“Whenever you get time you are looking at your phone and social media; you can see the clips of the players,” agreed Kaur. “Family and old friends who don’t follow cricket that much, they are giving their views on cricket. Some of my school friends who have never watched cricket are sending us their wishes. So we get to know so many people are following it back home in India.”

It is a world different from the one Kaur grew up in in Moga, where her father and coach trained her for the game. “(The development) is positive. When we used to play before, I had to call my sir and tell him, ‘Sir, I did this today’,” she remembered. “He would always say, ‘jangal mein mor nacha, kisine na dekha (the peacock danced in the forest, but no one saw it)’. Now people are watching. They know what’s happening. It’s a good sign. I recall now what he said.

“Whenever you get time you are looking at your phone and social media; you can see the clips of the players,” agreed Kaur. “Family and old friends who don’t follow cricket that much, they are giving their views on cricket. Some of my school friends who have never watched cricket are sending us their wishes. So we get to know so many people are following it back home in India.”

It is a world different from the one Kaur grew up in in Moga, learning the game under her father and coach. “(The development) is positive. When we used to play before, I had to call my sir and tell him, ‘Sir, I did this today’,” she remembered. “He would always say, ‘jangal mein mor nacha, kisine na dekha (the peacock danced in the forest, but no one saw it)’. Now people are watching. They know what’s happening. It’s a good sign. I recall now what he said.

Harmanpreet Kaur is yet to make her mark in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. She had the chance to take India out of trouble when the Indian batting line up was falling apart against Pakistan. Unfortunately, she could only manage 10 runs from 23 balls before falling victim to a brilliant catch from Pakistan captain Sana Mir.

“It was a crucial time when I went to bat. The ball was not coming on to the bat, but whatever the conditions you have to utilise it. I didn’t utilise it,” accepted Kaur. “Sush played really well. It was an important innings for the team. No matter who is performing, team’s win is important. Now everyone is performing, that is good for us. Now we are not depending only on Jhulu di and Mithali di. This is the reason we are winning now, and looking fresh every day. Everyone wants to perform for the team.”

On playing agaisnt Pakistan with an injury:

Kaur played the match against Pakistan with a lot of risks as she had dislocated her ring finger while facing the West Indies in Taunton. “It’s fine now. Initially when I was injured, I was really scared. I thought my World Cup is gone. I won’t get to play,” she said. “But my physio and the doctor (at the ground) both did a great job. I can move my hand, I can hold the bat. I still believe god has given me a chance to play the World Cup for my team; so looking forward to some good spells and good knocks for my team.”