According to Aakash Chopra, a former India cricketer, the real value of Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy skills would be harnessed in reclaiming the first-season glory of Mumbai Indians (MI) during its upcoming WPL 2025 season, from February 14 and onwards.
In 2023, MI was crowned the inaugural WPL champions, before falling to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who eventually won the title, in the eliminators the following year. Ahead of its WPL 2025 opener match against Delhi Capitals on February 15 in Vadodara, MI has been busy at a training facility in Navi Mumbai, picking up pace with its Indian players gradually followed by the overseas contingent.
And she will return back into the twenty-twenty arena after rest from ODIs against Ireland in January, especially after two T20s against the West Indies in Navi Mumbai were missed for injury concerns.
“As a batting line-up, it is very good and has almost remained the same as season one and two, since they have match-winners. Now, looking from the Indian team’s telescope, Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia are part of the equation-as regards their overseas recruits, they have three of the best all-rounders the world has got.”
“I think Harmanpreet Kaur plays a very significant part in this part because she is a very good captain and also very much in form in the first two seasons. In the first season, she played an important role in helping them achieve that feat. For Mumbai Indians, for regaining the glory of the first season, this Harmanpart will be significant,” said Chopra on Disney+ Hotstar on Monday.
Although MI has stars like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Shabnim Ismail, Chopra feels if all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar is fit, she can add more value to the line-up to excellent value. From last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup, Pooja has been sidelined because of an injury.
“When you have stars like Shabnim Ismail and Nat Sciver-Brunt, the team will rely on them heavily. But they also have Pooja Vastrakar, and if she finds her rhythm, she can contribute immensely, as she is a phenomenal all-rounder.”
MI include the most recent ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Amelia Kerr Chopra says she would spearhead the spin-bowling department, with backing for left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque to recover well in the next season.
“Amelia Kerr’s four overs should be treated as a bank. She is very accurate and a proven wicket-taker. Then they have Saika Ishaque who had a phenomenal debut season, but her second season was a bit of a damp squib. However, she is expected to make a good comeback. MI’s spin department may not be the best in the league, but it certainly is efficient.”
