That includes at ninth among the many top-10 run-getters within the Girls’s Premier League this yr, Harleen Deol is one among three Gujarat Giants gamers within the checklist, alongside the Australian duo of Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner. Their contributions have gone a good distance in the direction of serving to GG enter the Eliminator for the primary time for the reason that competitors started in 2023.
The 26-year-old’s ongoing marketing campaign is in stark distinction to final season, the place she suffered a untimely exit after an try and intercept the ball on the cowl boundary resulted in a knee damage and an extended layoff. Since getting back from damage, Harleen has bought again into India’s ODI group, notably smashing her first worldwide ton towards West Indies in Vadodara in December.
In an interview with The Hindu forward of GG’s Eliminator towards Mumbai Indians on the Brabourne Stadium on Thursday, Harleen mirrored on her damage, her return to India’s 50-over set-up, her fielding potential and extra. Excerpts:
Gujarat Giants has by no means crushed MI in six conferences. The place might the sport on Thursday be gained or misplaced?
Everytime you play large matches, it’s nearly dealing with the stress the precise approach. Whoever does that’s going to win. Mumbai have performed two back-to-back matches and have simply had a day’s break. They’re coming off a loss (towards Royal Challengers Bengaluru). So, additionally they have a problem to beat.
You might have been batting properly of late. Would you say that is the most effective you have got batted within the WPL?
I gained’t say I’m batting at my greatest. I had a reasonably good season within the first yr too. However once you miss out one season, you retain feeling you have got missed out on a possibility. However that’s finally the way you study issues and that’s the way you analyse. Whenever you come again, you’ve got time to fill within the bins that have been missing. For me, it has been like that. If I can play properly within the subsequent two matches, then I might say that is going to be my greatest (season).
What have been your targets coming into the season? Was your preparation any totally different earlier than this season?
I used to be doing rehab (laughs). No, I’m not somebody to provide myself targets. Within the preliminary stage, I used to be batting at No. 5. If I had advised myself I’ve to make these many runs, how might I’ve achieved it at that place? For me, it’s extra about how properly you possibly can deal with the scenario whereas batting, whether or not it’s No. 6 or 3. Regardless of the group calls for, I’ve to accordingly simply slot into that position. I’m not somebody to set targets. Even in case you set targets, God has their very own plans for you. I prefer to go like that.
How do you typically put together for a T20 match?
I used to be simply getting back from the ODI collection. When you have got scored runs in worldwide cricket, you’re extra assured of doing it over right here as properly. This can be a barely totally different format. You must simply be proactive concerning the calls for of this format. The preparation is a bit totally different. I focus extra on power-hitting. Ultimately additionally it is about taking part in good cricketing pictures. That additionally offers you these runs. So I don’t make issues too difficult.
You might have batted at No. 5 and in addition at 3. What’s the place you’re most comfy at?
Whenever you rating runs, you’re feeling comfy in any respect positions. At No. 3, you get extra time to settle in after which do what the group wants. I prefer to bat that approach. But when I’ve to bat on the finish, I’m additionally ready for that. Earlier than going right into a match, you simply have to organize for a way your mindset ought to be for various positions. It’s about how you have got ready.
When you find yourself at No. 3, you stated there is a little more time on supply. How a lot does the mindset change?
After we are batting decrease down, you simply should hit and bat at one gear. In case you get out, you get out. At No. 3, it’s important to have totally different gears. As a participant, you must know which gear works for you. There are occasions when it’s important to waft. It’s all in accordance with the scenario.
How has it been to bat with Mooney and Gardner? Do you decide their brains about batting?
Clearly, they’ve such good worldwide expertise. They’ve accomplished properly in India. They’ve accomplished properly in all of the international locations. When you find yourself batting with them, they’re the type who will maintain discussing the issues that may be accomplished. They don’t put stress on you. When I’m batting with Mooney, she gained’t simply direct you to go after a sure bowler. So, she is going to maintain giving concepts about how the ball is behaving, the areas that we will look to hit. So that they maintain discussing these items. It is vitally useful for us that we will additionally have a look at the sport like that. So that you begin issues a bit in another way.
You made your comeback into India’s ODI aspect in December and scored your first century towards WI. How pleasing was that?
When you find yourself making a comeback, it’s important to show your self. The folks see you as an injured participant and maintain how you have got recovered. You must be extra ready than the way you was. For me, it has been like that. When you find yourself making a comeback, all people ought to know that you’re again.
There wasn’t stress, however once you undergo a section of damage, you simply turn into extra grateful about issues. Whenever you don’t have one thing, then you definately realise how vital that factor was for you. Despite the fact that I used to be solely taking part in home cricket initially after my comeback, I used to be simply so glad to be on the sector. I wasn’t as glad whereas scoring a fifty or hundred. I used to be happier to know that I had simply began taking part in once more. You continue to learn by way of that section.
India’s Harleen Deol celebrates her ODI century towards West Indies on the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
| Picture Credit score:
FILE PHOTO: VIJAY SONEJI
You haven’t performed a T20I for India since July 2023. Do you’re feeling you have got accomplished sufficient to earn a comeback?
All these items usually are not in my management. In case you get there, it’s good. In case you don’t, it’s important to maintain working tougher to get these issues. It’s so simple as that. You simply should maintain following the method. You don’t should maintain planning about what’s going to occur. You must simply react to how you’re doing.
You suffered a knee damage three video games into WPL 2024. How robust was that section?
I by no means had such an extended layoff beforehand. I additionally surprise now how I went by way of that section. I couldn’t stroll for weeks. It was robust, however I don’t really feel it was too exhausting. You simply continue to learn issues by way of these phases. It has taught me loads and made me a greater particular person. It helped me to take care of conditions. I bought time to analyse. The rehab was a bit painful, nevertheless it taught me lots of issues. No matter occurs, occurs for good. You get to know concerning the individuals who actually look after you. There’s extra maturity now about how you can take care of setbacks.
There are six abroad batters within the high 10 run-getters this season. From the Indian group’s perspective, ought to there be concern that extra younger home batters aren’t coming by way of?
In case you see the IPL, it took so a few years for these items to come back in. There are impactful gamers coming in. You might have simply sown the seed, it takes time. Issues are moving into a superb route, whether or not it’s batting or bowling. Take a look at Bharti Fulmali. There’s Kashvee Gautam. There’s Kranti Goud. We simply should be a bit extra affected person and you will notice issues turning round.
You might be in all probability top-of-the-line fielders going round. What went into you turning into good at it?
I used to be somebody who would simply maintain taking part in with the ball in my youth. The hand-eye coordination turns into a factor. Primarily it’s simply observe. In case you see the great fielders, they’re so match. That’s the reason they turn into good fielders. For me, health is a factor that has helped me turn into a superb fielder. After my damage, it was tougher to be the place I used to be. When you have got set the usual in worldwide cricket, folks don’t take into consideration the truth that there shall be a bit hesitation about getting back from an damage. As I play extra matches, it can fade away and I’ll begin constructing extra confidence. I’m nonetheless getting there.
The general fielding requirements haven’t been that nice in WPL. How can that enhance going ahead?
It’s simply part of the sport. No one needs to drop a catch. In case you see kids now, they’re making an attempt to ensure they’re good fielders. I’m seeing a change. They know that the demand of the Indian group and the WPL is to be good within the fielding division.
Any fielder that you simply actually admire?
Lately, I like Glenn Phillips’ catches. He’s superb. Even Phoebe Litchfield. The best way she strikes round on the sector is so good to see.
Printed – March 13, 2025 12:14 on is
