Melbourne Renegades boss Simon Helmot highlights the importance of Harmanpreet Kaur to WBBL franchise

Harmanpreet Kaur has been one of India’s key elements in recent times and the way in which she has led the charge for the Women in Blue from the very front sets the right precedent for a generation of young cricketers planning to embrace the sport.

Not only is she a valuable asset to the Indian national team but Melbourne Renegades, the franchise with whom she is signed in WBBL also wants her aboard at the earliest possible, an aspect that would bolster their batting ranks.

The Renegades coach, Simon Helmot understands the kind of impact that Harmanpreet brings to the side and is hopeful of her availability for the tournament at the earliest.

Talking to ESPNCricinfo about her ongoing assignments, Helmot quoted, “Obviously, she's heavy into the Asia Cup at the moment so hopefully as soon as that finishes she can jump on a plane and come and join us up in Mackay or in fact, in Adelaide. So that's when we expect her. I'm expecting her to miss the first two matches, and then we'll have to check how she's feeling and how she's going.”

He further added, “She's played a heck of a lot of cricket recently. But having had a few messages over WhatsApp with her in recent times she's really excited about coming back. She had an awesome time [last season]. She was player of the series and she was such an important player, not just runs but 15 wickets as well, and her support and leadership for Soph [Molineux]."

Harmanpreet led the Indian unit to another remarkable finish in the recently concluded Asia Cup where India emerged as the champions, running riot against Sri Lanka in the grand finale of the tournament.