Virender Sehwag inspires power hitter Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian batter who rattled the Australian Women’s bowling attack last night is a big fan of former Indian Men’s team opener Virender Sehwag. Harmanpreet played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 171 runs off a mere 115 balls. She started her innings slowly, but accelerated it soon with an unbelievable strike rate and led her team to a victory against the defending champions Australia in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.

Indian team won the game by 36 runs and Harmanpreet was awarded the “Player of the Match” for her crucial knock and incredible performance. Earlier in the tournament, she was promoted up the order in the last group stage clash against New Zealand, and she responded with an important knock of 60 runs. The Punjabi girl took on the semi-final from where she left and with a stupendous display of stroke making stunned the Aussie bowlers.

Hero Virender Sehwag

Harmanpreet’s massive six in that game against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground in 2009 is still considered to be the biggest hit in Women’s cricket history. She was just 19 then and hit the ball so hard that the officials of the match asked her to undergo a dope test. Harman was even asked to send her bat to the laboratory for further checking.

“That six was the turning point. No one believed a girl could hit a ball so high and far. There were apprehensions that I had taken energy-boosting drugs. I underwent a dope test but I came out clean,” Harmanpreet told TOI.

Now the vice-captain of the team is getting ready to play a big role in the final on Sunday. The middle-order batter is a big fan of former Indian opener Virender Sehwag and that inspires her a lot. “I love his style and his attitude on the field. He has often given me tips to improve my batting,” she said.

Childhood

Kaur comes from a small town Moga in Punjab. She used to play cricket with her brother, neighbourhood boys and used to hit very long sixes. She remembers all this as it made her tough for future challenges. The wonder woman still travels 30km in a bus to reach the nearest ground to practice with her group of girls.

“We have seen many hardships. I wanted to be a sportsman but could not because of financial constraints. My daughter is fulfilling my dreams,” said her father Harmandar, a lawyer’s clerk in the district court.

“I remember my father spending his savings on buying cricket kits for me. But he never discouraged me from playing. My parents are a huge support,” Harmanpreet said.