'Mental skill is something we need to take seriously' - Harmanpreet Kaur bats for sports psychologist's inclusion in the team

India women’s team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has opened up on the importance of having a sports psychologist in the team to address the mental fatigue associated with the scheduling. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic came into the picture in 2020, players have gone through bio-bubbles and quarantines which have had a negative effect on the players' mental health. However, with no restrictions in place now, the scheduling has been a point of talk for the players.

India played the Women’s World Cup earlier this year which went into early April and in a month's time towards the end of May, there was the Women’s T20 Challenge. The Commonwealth Games took place in July-August while the Women’s The Hundred also commenced shortly, making the schedule even more packed.  

Playing back to back does take a mental toll, and it is good to take a break: Harmanpreet Kaur 

Kaur mentioned the importance of having the time to rest after a tournament or a series and felt that the performances can be affected if the players do not manage their mental fatigue properly. She further noted about the scheduling that took a toll on the players and recalled how India had a special sports psychologist against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup this year to counter the problem.  

"Your performances go up and down, and it is better to take a break than pushing too hard in such times. As a team we want to help that player, and we are very open about players taking break when there is mental fatigue and things do not go as you want,” Harmanpreet told as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 

"Last year, I went through these things playing back-to-back cricket. This year, we had the Commonwealth Games, and the Hundred was there [one after the other], but I wanted to take a break. Playing back to back does take a mental toll, and it is good to take a break at times [rather] than pushing too hard." 

"When we were on the New Zealand tour, [Bavare] was our go-to person and helped us a lot. I hope in future also we can get her with us, because right now we are paying too much attention to our physical fitness and skills. But mental skill is something we need to take seriously,” she added.