"We prepared really hard for this World Cup": Harmanpreet Kaur

ICC Women's World T20 has started with a bang as India thrashed New Zealand by 34 runs in the series opener. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a beautiful hundred off 49 balls as they have managed to put up 194 runs. Though it was not that much easy as they lost three wickets within powerplay.



"I know it's a good batting track. And if I settled down, I can get the runs. And that's what I was thinking. I just need to settle down. Once I settled down, I could execute myself," said Harmanpreet Kaur.



Though India won the game, New Zealand couldn't make it past 160. "Disappointed" Captain Amy Sattherwaite shared that they didn't execute their "bowling, playing." She further added, "when you are chasing 194, you know you need really special innings. And unfortunately, we didn't get that today."



Experienced Suzie Bates tried her best and scored a 50 ball 67 but it was not enough to win the match. "I thought Suzie was outstanding at the top. And to be fair, taking the total out of it, I thought we were actually better than right in pitches and showed some improvement from previous games," captain shared.



During the match, Kaur suffered from stomach ache. "Yesterday, I was having a little bit of back problem. And in the morning I was not feeling well. And I think when I came to the ground, I was feeling a little low and getting some cramps. Later on when I went for batting, when I was getting two runs and I was feeling a little bit crampy, and later on they gave me the medicine and now I'm feeling better."



Having got three of the first nine balls, Kaur shifted the pace and played a stormy inning. "I was nervous because I know no matter how much you played; when you're playing such a great level, you always are nervous about it. And I'm also -- I also get nervous. But yes when I was middling the ball, once I started middling the ball after that I started just getting my shots."



Kaur's innings was praised by her counterpart as well. Amy expressed, "It's one of the best. Obviously, I've been fortunate enough to see some pretty special innings from the likes of Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine."



Having expected to do better in the next one, captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared, "Because every day's a learning day. And today I learned a lot and definitely when I go for next time to bat I would like to learn from my batting." Big-hitter Kaur's hundred included 8 sixes and 7 fours. "I like to hit long shots. And that's what I was trying today. I was enjoying myself in the middle and happy because we win today."



"If you want to be able to lift the trophy, you've got to win games of cricket. We haven't hit the best out. It's early days. And we know we still have an opportunity," loosing but hopeful captain Amy Sattherwaite added.