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"Unlikely that she will be picked for next ODI World Cup": Ex-IND opener on Harmanpreet Kaur

Shreyasi

Harmanpreet Kaur flops - (Source: AFP)Harmanpreet Kaur flops - (Source: AFP)

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has opined that Harmanpreet Kaur will be under pressure during the ongoing Women’s World Cup. In what could be her last World Cup, the Indian skipper will be aiming to make a big impact.

Harmanpreet Kaur playing under pressure in World Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur has scored just 40 runs in two matches so far in the ongoing World Cup. She failed to capitalize on the good starts she had. As this could be her last World Cup, undoubtedly the Indian cricket team captain would be looking to make it big. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra spoke about Harman’s performance in the tournament and said that she would be under immense pressure in her fifth World Cup.

"There will be pressure. Firstly, you are the captain. This is your fifth World Cup, the first as a captain, and it might be in her mind that this could probably be the last as well. It's very unlikely that she will be in the next ODI World Cup. So the pressure is there," said Chopra.

During his chat with the Star Sports, Chopra explained why Harmanpreet Kaur must be in pressure. In 13 matches this year, Harmanpreet has managed to accumulate 386 runs at an average of 35.09.  According to Chopra, in such a coveted event, a captains contribution is important for the team.

"If the others are also getting starts and not converting them into big scores, publicly, you say everything is okay, but in your heart, you know that you need to contribute. If a team's leader doesn't score runs, doesn't perform from the front, the team becomes slightly weak. So the captain has to score. She will definitely be feeling slight pressure."

Chopra explains India's sixth bowler strategy 

While speaking of India’s gameplan in the tournament, Aakash Chopra shared his opinion on India not having a sixth bowler. Chopra remarked,

"If we see the larger picture, if Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur score runs, then you can also think about the sixth bowler. As of now, you want a sixth bowler, but, although everyone has runs, no one has big runs."

He further added that the team need confidence to play the extra bowler, and the batters must score runs for the same. Therefore, for Indian team, currently it is important for the two main batters Mandhana and Harmanpreet to score. India will play their next match in the World Cup against South Africa on October 9.