Basil Sylvester Pinto
PANAJI
Her spectacular unconquered 171 defying injury and pain in the semi-finals against defending champions, Australia in the recently concluded Women's Cricket World Cup in England exemplified the typical courage of a Punjabi brave heart.
She may be merciless with the willow, but as an interviewee she is soft and forthcoming. In an exclusive telephonic interview with The Goan, she opens up with the simplicity as her uncomplicated batting approach.
Recounting on her recent World Cup experience where India Women finished runners-up to their English counterparts, she stated it to be a pleasant experience. "It was very nice. For the first time, I really enjoyed. The coach, the entire support staff was so involved. There was a positive environment within the team. It is one of the best tourneys that I have played so far," a delighted Kaur stated.
On her approach to the finals (she scored 51 (80b, 3x4, 2x6) she stated it was a deliberate plan to start her innings cautiously. "We had lost Mithali (Raj), and in company of opener Punam (Raut) we laid our focus on getting a partnership going. I decided to spend some time at the wicket to build an innings. Once I had settled down and became comfortable at the crease, I started hitting the boundaries and sixes," Kaur offered an explanation.
But with India Women cruising with both of them looking good and rotating the strike, the order of the day, this writer asked if the high risk shot that prompted her dismissal was uncalled for. To this, Kaur stated that since her partner was rotating the strike well, she thought it prudent to step up the gas. "Actually, I just went with my shot. I was looking for a single and it went up in the air. It was a double-minded shot. I was thinking of going for a single but then went for a full bat flow," the power-hitter who idolises Virender Sehwag divulged.
Remind her on her once-in-a-lifetime innings she played to guide her side into the finals; she revealed an interesting anecdote as well. "It was one of the best I have played. In fact, before going to bat, I did not eat. Initially, I did not want to play the game as I was not fully fit. But the physio (Tracy Fernandes), coach (Tushar Arothe) told me I can do better in the game. They convinced me that I have the experience against them and that I would be the side's best player. So then I decided to play in the all-important match despite having finger and shoulder injuries," the gutsy batter stated.
Batting first against the defending champions, in the semi-finals in a rain-curtailed 42-overs encounter, it was an early plan to set a 230-240 target for Australia which would be great. But Harman had other ideas. "I talked to Mithali, Deepti, Veda that even 250-260 is a chaseable target. We had to put up a score of 270-280. The extra runs helped us to win the match with Australia giving us a good fight until the 40th over," the see-ball, hit-ball star pointed out.
While conceding that the final against England at Lord's was a close match which they should have got over the line, she was quick to add that the response back home was heartening nonetheless. "The response that we have got has changed our lives. All recognize us now and it is hard to go out."
