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Harmanpreet Kaur Eyes WPL Title Defense, Calls Mumbai Her "Special City"

Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur is charged with the same winning energy as her team prepares to defend its Women's Premier League title. She expressed her special connection to Mumbai, a city where she consistently sees positive results on the field. The franchise is also embarking on a new era with an all-female coaching panel led by two-time World Cup winner Lisa Keightley. Mentor Jhulan Goswami praised the setup, highlighting the opportunity to learn and the importance of women leading in sports.

Key Points: Harmanpreet Kaur on WPL Defense & Mumbai's Positive Energy

  • MI aims to defend WPL title
  • Harmanpreet draws on World Cup win energy
  • Mumbai is a "special" venue for skipper
  • All-female coaching staff led by Lisa Keightley
  • Core of winning squad retained
3 min read

"Mumbai is very special city, I always get positive results here": MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur

MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur targets another WPL trophy, inspired by Mumbai's "positive results." Coach Lisa Keightley leads an all-female coaching staff.

"It's a very special city for me because whenever I get a chance to play here, I always get to see positive results. - Harmanpreet Kaur"

Mumbai, January 7

After a title-winning run in the previous edition of the Women's Premier League, Mumbai Indians - the most successful team in the competition, are raring to go into the new season, taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opener on January 9.

Having guided the Indian women's cricket team to World Cup glory, MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur looks to take the inspiration and defend the league title.

"Whenever I go on the field, I tell my team that I want to win the trophy. This new year starts with the WPL, and I have the same energy and excitement going into the tournament. We have the same mindset. We have won two trophies in the last three seasons. And we want to play well this season and win the trophy again," Harmanpreet asserted during the Mumbai Indians' pre-season press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.

"It's my first job in Mumbai, and I think it's a very special city for me because whenever I get a chance to play here, I always get to see positive results. I am sure this season is also going to be very special. I am really happy that last season and last year turned out to be very good overall for women's cricket. I hope this year also starts the same way," she added.

This time, the team will also look forward to drawing inspiration from two-time World Cup winner Lisa Keightley, who takes the helm for her first WPL season with the Mumbai Indians. Lisa reflected on having an all-female coaching staff and how it reflects MI's ethos and Nita M. Ambani's vision to empower women through sport.

"To have a full female coaching panel is really exciting and something different for me. We're giving an opportunity for supporters and females across the world to actually see females in the coaching space. From that point of view, I would love to see it more often and I think over the next 10 years you'll see that," she noted, as quoted from a release.

"To have a female leader in powerful positions making decisions, as MrAmbani also plays a part in why we've got females in our coaching staff. So it starts at the top, and it's filtered down. So it's really fantastic to have those opportunities," Lisa concluded.

Voicing her thoughts on new head coach Lisa, MI mentor and bowling coach Jhulan Goswami said, "It's a blessing to work with her as she has 20 years of coaching experience. We can learn a lot under her leadership. At MI, we believe that women should always come forward and I think having an all-female coaching team is the best thing for us."

MI have retained the core from last year's winning squad.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As a Mumbaikar, it feels great to hear our city gives her positive vibes! The WPL has changed the game. The focus on female coaches by MI is commendable. Hope they defend the title successfully.
A
Aman W
While I support the team, I hope the focus remains on consistent performance and not just past glory. Retaining the core is good, but other teams have strengthened too. The pressure to win three trophies in four seasons is huge.
S
Sarah B
It's fantastic to see this level of professionalism and vision in women's sports. Lisa Keightley's point about female leadership filtering down from the top is so important. Wishing MI all the best for the season!
V
Vikram M
Jhulan Goswami as mentor is the real win here. Her experience is priceless. The team looks balanced and the mindset is right. Let's go MI! 🏆
N
Nisha Z
This is more than just cricket. It's about creating opportunities and changing perceptions. Nita Ambani's vision is truly being realized. So proud to see our women leading from the front, both on and off the field.

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