‘Self-talk’ helped me perform: Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur

'Self-talk' helped me perform, says Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur India, under new Women's One-Day International captain Harmanpreet Kaur, completed a 3-0 clean sweep of Sri Lanka in their own backyard. Kaur, who has been India Women's T20 captain for some time, also led her side to a 2-1 win over the Lankan ladies prior to the ODIs.

The hard-hitting Kaur was named as player of the series in both T20Is and ODIs for scoring 92 and 119 runs, respectively.

The 33-year-old pointed out 'self-talks' and the process of enjoyment as reasons for her performances on this Lankan tour.

"For me, it's always important that I should enjoy each and every moment. Sometime in between, I was not enjoying it because sometimes you take a lot of pressure - it happens with anyone. I was going through those things but now I have made a plan that I have to enjoy. Whatever the situation, I'll try to stay there and give the start the team needs. That's what I've been trying in the last few months," 

"I think before we came here, I had a self-talk that I have to give my 100%, and it was important that I get runs in this series," Kaur told ESPNcricinfo

“I always wanted to bowl, and I'm glad I (now) have the freedom to bowl”

Kaur, who occasionally bowled off-spin, was seen throwing more overs than usual in the ODIs, where she picked up two wickets from three games. 

She revealed that she had a brief chat with coach Ramesh Powar about getting in more bowling before the start of the series.

"I'm very happy I got wickets also because I want to bowl, and I was always keen to bowl. I was really happy that I was able to do both things. I had also told our head coach [Ramesh Powar] that I was available for bowling [earlier], but because of some game plans, I didn't get to bowl. "

"I was lucky that in the last game [India played at the 2022 World Cup], I got a few overs to bowl. I have been planning for a long time that I should get to bowl [more]. I am glad I was able to get those breakthroughs. I always wanted to bowl, and I'm glad I [now] have the freedom to bowl," Kaur explained.

The all-rounder has 31 wickets from 121 ODIs, with 9 in Women Tests and 31 in WT20Is.

Kaur sounded extremely impressed by Pooja Vastrakar's batting performance in the last ODI.

Vastrakar, in the side for her bowling, scored an unbeaten 56 off 65, coming in at number eight, which helped India reach the 255-run mark.

"She [Vastrakar] has been showing she can bat also. One thing we discuss in the dressing room is that whoever is going to bat, that person is capable of getting runs for the team [regardless of their batting position], and whoever is bowling can take a wicket. Whoever is in the playing XI is capable of doing both things," 

"Pooja Vastrakar has done really well so far, and I think that batting order really suited her, and in future if we need to change something, we will take charge accordingly," the Punjab-born concluded.

Kaur's next assignment will be the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where India will meet World Champions Australia in their opening match on July 29.India placed in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, and Barbados.