'Players are trusting me, my plans, and my powers' - Harmanpreet Kaur reveals reason behind her success as captain

Team India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur believes that fostering trust among teammates and the leader is a key factor behind success and that the players should be free to voice their opinions. The 33-year-old, while speaking about her captaincy, said that it is crucial to maintain team cohesion, even though some players may require more encouragement than others.

As former India skipper, and a legend of the game, Mithali Raj announced her retirement earlier this year, Kaur was handed India’s captaincy across all formats. She had been in charge of the T20Is prior to Mithali Raj’s retirement, who was leading the ODI and Test sides.

“For me, it is very important keeping all the players together because according to me, everyone should be able to share their views and be treated with equal importance,” Harmanpreet Kaur said on Star Sports’ Follow the Blues.

“I know there are a few team performers who can go out and do well for the team, but you still need your other players who are with the team that needs to be treated equally too because sometimes, some players need higher support. So, as a captain, and as a leader, it is my responsibility to go out and speak to them about how they are feeling and how they can improve as a cricketer. So, I think all this is really helping me to lead them on the field," she added.

The efforts the team is putting in is the reason for getting these positive results: Kaur

The players don't hesitate to express their opinions to her, which Harmanpreet believes is the most advantageous feature of her leadership and has helped the team succeed. Under her leadership, India recently registered a historic 3-0 victory against England in England in ODIs after winning an ODI and a T20I series against Sri Lanka in June-July.

“The most positive thing I feel is that they are opening up in front of me because if they don’t open up, then even I won’t be able to help them. They are trusting me, my plans, and my powers and all these things are very important. I feel the support we are receiving from the other team members and the efforts the team is putting in is the reason for getting these positive results because if you have that trust in your team, you cannot lag anywhere on the field,” she explained.

India is gearing up to face Australia for a five-match T20I series. A couple of seasoned players have been rested, while a couple of new faces have earned their maiden call-up. All five matches will be played in Mumbai across two venues. Having lost two T20I games against Australia this year, Harmanpreet Kaur will be looking to turn the tables around and keep India’s winning form going.

“So, it’s the trust factor that we have within the team, is the strength we have right now. The reason we are improving as a team and are able to give results every tournament is the trust factor that is helping us,” Kaur concluded.