India Women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar has given his full backing to captain Harmanpreet Kaur, dispelling suggestions of pressure on the captain ahead of India’s crucial league match against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 22.
The Indian team finds themselves in a precarious situation after suffering three consecutive defeats against South Africa, Australia and England – all of whom have already booked their places in the semi-finals. India’s promotion hopes now hang in the balance, with their campaign hinged on a must-win result against New Zealand. With the tournament he hosts, an early exit would be a huge disappointment and naturally increased scrutiny of the team’s management and performance.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the match, Muzumdar dismissed any talk of pressure on Harmanpreet and praised her leadership over the past two years.
“I don’t think it’s about any pressure. She led fantastically,” Muzumdar said. “If you look at her record in bilateral series before this World Cup, it was outstanding. She took the team through various challenges and did remarkably well.”
Harmanpreet who scored a fluent half-century India vs England previous match, She seemed to find her rhythm again before being let go trying to accelerate. Her partnership with Smriti Mandhana put India in control of the chase, but the dismissals of both batsmen triggered a collapse that ultimately cost India a game they looked set to win.
HARMANPREET BACK TO DELIVERY
Muzumdar he acknowledged missed opportunities but he remained confident that the captain was close to achieving the definitive feat.
“Yes, in the last match she got up to speed and could have converted that start to a hundred, which would have been ideal,” he noted. “But knowing Harman, she’s put in some tough yards and hopefully it all comes together in the next few games.
The coach’s words underscore the management’s continued faith in their captain, who has been instrumental in India’s revival in women’s cricket over the years. Despite recent setbacks, the belief remains that Harmanpreet can rise to the occasion when it matters most.
As India prepare for their final league game, Muzumdar and his team will be hoping that their captain’s experience and resilience can inspire a last-gasp push to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
October 22, 2025
