'We will try and cover all areas to help everyone prepare for CWG 2022' - Harmanpreet Kaur

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is keen to follow the footsteps of her former captain and the recently retired legendary batter Mithali Raj as the Women in Blue embark on a new era under her leadership.

Harmanpreet has been leading the T20I team since 2018, but she will be making her debut as ODI captain during the tour of Sri Lanka, which kicks off today with a T20I.

While Harmanpreet understands that no one can take the place of Mithali in the set-up, she is keen to take the legacy of the former cricketer forward.

"Mithali has done great for women's cricket and I don't think there's anyone who can fill her place," Harmanpreet said as quoted by ANI.

"We are working hard on our team where we can create some combinations, but if we talk about Mithali, I don't think there is anyone who can take her place and we will always miss her in our dressing room," she added.

The upcoming 12 months are crucial for the Indian team. After a disappointing 50-over World Cup campaign, the Harmanpreet-led unit will be looking to regroup and prepare for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the T20 World Cup, which will take place in South Africa.

India have handed out opportunities to tried and tested youngsters in their squad for the Lankan series. However, Harmanpreet has clarified that the players must be mentally prepared to carry out whatever role is assigned.

"We spoke to the players and told them whatever opportunity they get they need to be ready for. Only two people can go and open (an innings), but everyone needs to be ready to bat at any number and that is what you need from your batting unit," she added.

With just 3 T20Is in Lanka, Harman conceded that it will be difficult for the management to give everyone an opportunity, but they will try to rotate the squad as much as possible.

"We only have three T20s here (in Sri Lanka) and it is going to be very difficult to give everyone an equal opportunity. We will try and cover all areas to help everyone prepare (for the Commonwealth Games)," she said.

Meanwhile, India got off to a brilliant start to their tour of Sri Lanka as they thumped the hosts by 34 runs.

Jemimah Rodrigues, who is making her comeback, made good use of her opportunity and scored a match-winning unbeaten 36* (27) to help India post 138/6.

Thanks to India's spinners, Sri Lanka could only manage 104 runs. India will now look to seal the series in the second T20I on June 25th.