Harmanpreet Kaur: How was India's captain discovered? - Stumped podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts

• Harmanpreet Kaur's cricketing journey and early development
• The role of Kamaljeet Singh Sodhi and Yadwinder Singh Sodhi in her career
• The significance of the 2017 World Cup semi-final innings (171 runs)
• Harmanpreet Kaur's impact on the transformation of Indian women's cricket
• Challenges and expectations for Harmanpreet Kaur and the Indian team in the current World Cup
• The potential end of Harmanpreet Kaur's career and her legacy

Harmanpreet Kaur's Early Life and Cricket Development

Harmanpreet Kaur was born in Moga, North India. Her cricketing journey began when Kamaljeet Singh Sodhi, a coach, noticed her playing cricket with boys. Yadwinder Singh Sodhi, Kamaljeet's son and also a coach, recounted how his father approached Harmanpreet and encouraged her to ask her father to contact him. Initially, Harmanpreet forgot, but her father eventually met with Yadwinder's father.

The Sodhi family offered significant support, which Yadwinder described as "sponsoring her cricket" and "taking care of everything," including her daily life. This support extended to covering her commute (the school was 20km from Moga), cricket equipment, and school fees, all of which were provided free of charge. Yadwinder highlighted that his father's offer was not a literal adoption but a comprehensive sponsorship of her cricketing aspirations.

Identifying Harmanpreet's Talent

Yadwinder Singh Sodhi believes that the key qualities his father saw in Harmanpreet were her passion for cricket and her outspoken, raw nature. Despite being a shy girl at the time, she was not afraid to play cricket with boys and was not intimidated by their language or any other aspect of the game. This fearlessness and dedication set her apart.

Cultural Context and Parental Support

The transcript touches upon the cultural context in India where girls are often married off early, potentially hindering their sporting careers. However, Harmanpreet's case was different due to her cooperative parents. This support was crucial, especially as she was selected for her first tour (to Australia) and subsequently the World Cup while still in Year 12.

Harmanpreet's Relationship with Her Fathers

A significant anecdote shared is an Instagram post by Harmanpreet Kaur where she expresses gratitude to two father figures: her biological father and Yadwinder's father. She describes them as "keepers," "guides," and acknowledges that her biological father brought her into the world, while her non-biological father taught her life lessons and showed her direction. Yadwinder confirmed this sentiment, stating that his father never differentiated between his own children and Harmanpreet, treating her as an integral part of the family.

Coaching and Dedication

Yadwinder described Harmanpreet as a dedicated trainee. When asked about her coachability, he stated that she was willing to do whatever was asked, even if it meant running twelve rounds of the ground when asked for ten. This illustrates her exceptional work ethic and commitment.

The 2017 World Cup Semi-Final: A Turning Point

The 171-run innings by Harmanpreet Kaur against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final in Derby is identified as an absolute breakthrough moment for her and for women's cricket in India. Yadwinder stated that this innings "changed the whole structure of women's cricket in India." He contrasted her aggressive style with previous players like Mithali Raj, noting that before Harmanpreet, scores of 171-220 in 50 overs were considered big, and no one scored at a strike rate of 100. He described her innings as "once in a lifetime" and highlighted her ability to "middle the ball," particularly against strong teams like Australia and England.

Harmanpreet's Contribution to Indian Women's Cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur's contribution to the transformation of Indian women's cricket is encapsulated by her unselfish play. Yadwinder emphasized that she "always played for her team" and not for herself. He contrasted her with players who might be hesitant to give away their wicket even when the match situation demands aggressive batting. Harmanpreet's approach, exemplified by her willingness to take risks for the team's benefit, is seen as a key factor in elevating the game. Her innings is described as "flawless" and instrumental in demonstrating that "girls can score big hundreds, girls can score 300."

Current World Cup and Future Prospects

The discussion shifts to the current World Cup campaign, where India has taken only four points from four matches and may need to win two of their remaining three games to qualify for the semi-finals. Sunil Gupta notes that Harmanpreet is under pressure but has earned immense respect.

There is a discussion about whether this tournament might be Harmanpreet's "swan song," given she is 36 years old. Yadwinder suggests that there might not be much cricket left for her, possibly only a few years, and that a 50-over World Cup on home soil would be a significant achievement before she retires.

Expectations and Challenges

Sunil Gupta expresses frustration that despite Harmanpreet's talent, calibre, and hard work, she needs to "start moving to the next level." He suggests that she needs to learn from her experiences, pass on her knowledge to teammates like Amanjot Kaur, and foster a more cohesive and winning team dynamic, rather than relying on last-minute efforts.

Jim Maxwell agrees that Harmanpreet is likely nearing the end of her career and needs to achieve success for herself and the team. He acknowledges the immense pressure of playing at home with "the eyes of a billion people on her." He notes that India's performance has been "erratic so far" and that they need to "pull their game together." While he hopes it all comes together for India and Harmanpreet, he anticipates they will reach the semi-finals, but the outcome beyond that is uncertain.

Conclusion

The summary highlights Harmanpreet Kaur's remarkable journey from a young girl in Moga to a pivotal figure in Indian women's cricket. Her talent, passion, and unselfish play, nurtured by dedicated coaches and supportive parents, led to a breakthrough performance in the 2017 World Cup semi-final, which significantly impacted the sport's landscape in India. While facing the twilight of her career and current World Cup pressures, her legacy as a transformative player and captain is undeniable. The focus now is on her ability to lead the team to further success and inspire the next generation.