India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s batting struggles have once again become a talking point at the Women’s T20 World Cup, with former teammate Shikha Pandey suggesting that the solution may lie in a return to her natural aggressive approach.
Ahead of India’s crucial match against Bangladesh, Shikha advised Harmanpreet to avoid over-focusing on wickets falling around her and instead play with the freedom that has defined her career at her best.
India are under pressure following their loss to South Africa in Manchester, with several senior batters facing scrutiny. Harmanpreet’s strike rate in the middle overs has been a key concern, as she has often appeared to balance rebuilding the innings with increasing the scoring rate.
Speaking on JioStar’s Game Plan, Shikha said the India captain is most effective when she trusts her instincts rather than trying to anchor the innings.
She added that when Harmanpreet settles in, she is capable of dominating bowlers, especially spinners, with a wide range of attacking shots.
Shikha also suggested a possible adjustment in the batting order, proposing that Harmanpreet could move to No. 4, with Jemimah Rodrigues shifted down a position to provide better balance.
Former India batter Veda Krishnamurthy, meanwhile, supported keeping Jemimah at No. 3, stressing the importance of consistency and a fixed role to help her preparation and performance.
As India enter a decisive phase of the tournament, much will depend on Harmanpreet’s form. While she has often rescued the team in difficult situations, experts believe her impact will be greatest if she is able to play with greater freedom and rediscover her attacking rhythm.
