This is the time to stay positive – Harmanpreet Kaur after India’s defeat against South Africa

As India lost a hard-fought match against South Africa in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, they will be eager to regroup ahead of their challenge against Bangladesh. Manchester wasn’t kind to the Indian side as they lost wickets in a flurry and had too little in the bank to defend.

Indian captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, played an instrumental cameo of 24 runs which helped India steady the ship in what was an otherwise bumpy ride. Talking at the post-match presentation, Kaur revealed the emotions after the loss at the hands of South Africa. She also underscored the use of spinners to keep the South African juggernaut at bay while sharing a word about how she competed a journey of 200 T20Is and what went behind becoming the first-ever international player to pull off this feat.

Explaining the emotions after the defeat, Kaur said, “I think we got a couple of chances in between, but unfortunately we weren’t able to take those chances. But I think still we have two matches to go, and this is the time to stay positive and think about those matches.”

Revealing the train of thoughts behind utilising spin more predominantly, Kaur added, “I think Shree Charani and Shafali bowled really well. They were creating challenges, but unfortunately other bowlers didn’t support them.”

Reflecting on the missed chances on the field, Harman said, “I think we always talk about, you know, we have to take opportunities at this level, but unfortunately we were not lucky enough today. But I think still we have another two games, and now this is the time to think about those games.”

Kaur also lauded Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten knock that took the game away, stating, “She was brilliant today. She took the game away from us, but again I think she gave us two crucial chances, but unfortunately we didn’t take that. But I think at this level when you miss those chances, nobody’s going to, you know, give you anything easily. And I think those were the crucial moments and they took the game away from us.”

Shedding some light on how India planned to defend the total, Harman said, “If you’re bowling, you know, a ball was a little bit turning. If you use your fingers really well, then I think Shafali and Shree Charani did really well. And other spinners need to think about, like, how we have to bowl, especially on these kind of wickets.”

She concluded by talking about her journey in T20Is, stating, “A lot of learning, a lot of, you know, positive moments, a lot of these kind of moments where you have to stay strong and stay positive and keep thinking about the game. This is what game has taught me. And I think this is, now this is the time to stay positive and keep thinking what, you need to do in the upcoming games. And I think this is the time for me to talk to my teammates, give them strength, give them positive talks. And hopefully we will come up as a group really well in the next two games.”