"Before our match against New Zealand, Diana madam sent me a text message, asking me why I'm in England and what I'm doing in the team.”
This message -- that former women's cricket captain Diana Edulji sent Harmanpreet Kaur -- was the turning point in the performance of the current Indian vice-captain in the recently-concluded ICC Women’s World Cup.
Speaking at an event held to felicitate the Indian women's team at Garware House on Saturday (August 12), the team's vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur emotionally recalled how Edulji has been an inspiration for Kaur.
“Firstly, there were all sorts of thoughts running across my mind and to top it all, this message arrived. I didn't reply to her for the next two days. She then messaged again and asked, 'You are not replying?' I finally replied, saying 'Wait, we are coming with the Cup'. She replied: 'Firstly, I need your fifty.' I scored half-century against New Zealand in that match," shared the Punjab-born player Harmanpreet, who had scored just 77 in her first six games.
But despite making unbeaten score of 171 against Australia, Harmanpreet regretted that she could not lead India to win the final against England at Lord's Cricket Ground on July 23. India lost the gripping match by a mere nine runs.
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The Western Railway cricketer said the World Cup was more important than her individual performance against Australia.
She added, "Before our semi-final against Australia, Diana madam asked me, 'What now?' I told her, I am focusing on the Cup and I am not bothered about my game, but I will do my best. When I scored an unbeaten 171 in the next innings, she congratulated me by saying 'I am very happy'. Even at that time, I didn't reply, because I was thinking only about winning the final. Now, whenever we attend such felicitation functions, we all do a rewind and question ourselves why we couldn't score those nine runs and that makes us feel sad. I wish I could score those nine runs."
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Emerging runners-up at the international tournament wasn’t an easy job, but the women in blue have made it all possible with their grit and determination. To make an incredible journey, every player needs a boost and they are lucky to have mentors like Diana Edulji, who is in the current Supreme Court-appointed committee of administrators.
Guess every Harmanpreet needs an Edulji!
WATCH: The journey of India’s batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur
Read More Stories By Ria Das
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