Harmanpreet emphasizes ‘winning mindset’, coach Keightley aims to develop domestic talent
Following India’s women’s historic World Cup victory last year, Harmanpreet Kaur has turned her focus to securing another WPL championship. She expressed her desire to establish a legacy centered around a “winning mindset”. “Wherever I go, I want everyone to consider how we can Secure victories. Participation is something we’ve been doing for years, but it doesn’t effect change,” Harmanpreet stated during the Mumbai Indians’ pre-tournament press briefing in Mumbai. “By adopting a winning mentality and striving for it, a great deal can come to both you and your nation.” Harmanpreet led MI to two WPL titles in three seasons prior to her leadership of India to the World Cup success. She credits this winning mentality to her experiences with the franchise, with which she has been associated since the inaugural WPL season in 2023. “WPL has significantly transformed my thinking,” Harmanpreet noted. “Earlier, I faced some constraints. MI has been clinching IPL titles for numerous years. Upon joining MI and collaborating with them, their constant focus was on what strategic advantages could lead to defeating any opposite team and capturing the title. Their mindset influenced me, and anywhere I went afterward, I considered how to shift the approach. We should concentrate solely on what we can achieve in terms of victory. That has been evident in the past few years.” MI values consistency when it comes to personnel. Nevertheless, the exit of Charlotte Edwards, who is now the head coach for England, has necessitated adjustments to their coaching structure. Lisa Keightley, who served as the assistant coach for Delhi Capitals (DC) for the previous three years, has stepped in to lead MI. She now works with an entirely female coaching staff made up of mentor and bowling coach Jhulan Goswami, batting coach Devika Palshikar, fielding coach Nicole Bolton, and spin-bowling coach Kristen Beams. “There are numerous opportunities available for coaching; emerging from a player’s background and having these chances is wonderful,” Keightley remarked. “We’ll observe an increasing number of players take on coaching roles within franchise teams, and hopefully, in the future, we will witness a female coach leading India, which would be thrilling and indicative of significant growth in the sport.” Keightley is a two-time World Cup champion with Australia in 1997 and 2005 and has extensive coaching experience. She became the first woman to serve as the head coach of Australia from 2007 to 2008. Following that, she led England women from 2019 to 2022, before taking on similar roles with Sydney Thunder (WBBL) and Northern Superchargers (now known as Sunrisers Leeds in the Hundred). “I have been involved in coaching elite sports and teams for the past 20 years. Now, as we engage with many franchises, it excites me to be part of them and be a head coach globally,” Keightley shared. “In my two decades of experience, I have never encountered a completely female coaching team, which is incredibly exciting and distinct for me. That is also beneficial for our players to observe. I strongly believe that if you cannot see it, you cannot be it. I hope to see more of this. Within the next decade, it will be apparent.” Keightley believes, “From Mrs. Ambani, the presence of a female leader in influential roles making decisions significantly contributes to the inclusion of women in our coaching staff. It starts from the top and trickles down.” Keightley: ‘It will be thrilling to watch India compete in World Cups’ Keightley also praised the positive impact the WPL has made on the domestic cricket landscape in India. She noted that the emergence of new players during auctions indicates a strong depth in domestic cricket. “The WPL has become increasingly competitive, making team selections at auctions more challenging due to the wider pool of players available,” Keightley explained. “Domestic players are making substantial improvements, and Indian international players are thriving amid fierce competition, which is essential before heading into international World Cups and coping with pressure. Performing well in domestic competitions will undoubtedly elevate your capabilities when competing on the global stage. The proof is evident in India’s triumph in the 50-over World Cup, where they faced significant pressure in the semifinal.” “This marks the growth attributed to the WPL over the past three years, and we are witnessing the benefits manifest during international competitions. If we project another three years ahead, it will be astonishing to watch India excel in some World Cups.” Lisa Keightley, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jhulan Goswami at a press event •PTI The eagerness displayed by domestic players during training has also been noted by Keightley. During her time with DC, she observed the progress of N Shree Charani, who recently represented India at the World Cup, up close. A similar narrative is unfolding at MI. “Every time I work with any of the domestic Indian players in the last four years, it holds immense significance for them. I don’t need to say too much,” Keightley emphasized. “You can observe their work ethic, how they listen, their communication skills, and their eagerness to interact with the international players who join us. It’s refreshing and heartwarming to witness the value they place on these experiences.” The way they compete during practice sessions… just recently, in Amelia (Kerr)’s initial training session, our left-arm spinner Triveni (Vasistha) approached, struck her pad, and exclaimed, ‘out, out, out!’ Such competitive spirit isn’t something we typically experience in Australia; there, players merely hit the pad and the bowler steps back. The level of competition exhibited is truly charming. It’s a pleasure to witness the intensity they bring during training or practice matches. Usually, when I’m at home, players tend to take practice matches lightly, but here, the enthusiasm towards competition is remarkable.” “I find great enjoyment seeing that. There’s little need for encouragement from my end. They are genuinely thrilled to have been selected and to take advantage of this opportunity. For many, it can alter their lives, opening doors to new prospects. If we can assist and support them in realizing their dreams – whether it’s playing for Mumbai and winning a tournament or representing India – that’s how I perceive it. My focus is on facilitating, providing guidance, and ensuring that this experience with Mumbai is unforgettable for them, so that when they depart, they’re eager to return and play the following year.” S Sudarshanan is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Sudarshanan7
Published: 2026-01-07 13:55:00
source: www.espncricinfo.com
