Harmanpreet Kaur highlights the importance of a sports psychologist for the upcoming T20 Women’s World Cup

Ever since India lifted the 2011 ICC World Cup, talks of a sports psychologist’s presence in the squad have taken center stage. 13 years later, as the Indian women’s cricket team gear up for the latest iteration of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Indian captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, emphasized the importance of a sports psychologist ahead of the global event.

Talking in a press conference in Mumbai ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, Kaur said, “When you talk [to a psychologist] personally, you know what you are talking about and the areas you want to focus on. But when it comes to the team, it is important that everyone opens up so that as a team we can work together and help the player as needed.”

She further added, “We had a few sessions where we talked to each other about how we were feeling and how we wanted to go about it. With Mugdha's help, there were a lot of sessions after which we felt well and then after executing it on the ground, we felt better. She is really working hard on us, and so far, it is really helping us."

It has been pointed out before that the Indian players have crumbled under pressure despite being in pretty close situations. The availability of a sports psychologist allows the team to cope better with pressure while easing one into the game. The better mental space that the players will be in is likely to reflect on the players’ performances.