Harmanpreet Kaur to toss with Wolvaardt at Old Trafford as India chase T20 World Cup semifinal spot

Harmanpreet Kaur is set to walk out to toss with Laura Wolvaardt at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in India’s Women’s T20 World Cup match against South Africa. It is unlikely she will be thinking about becoming the first woman — or man for that matter — to play 200 T20Is, and her immediate focus is on the game and its significance for a place in the semifinals.

Harmanpreet has been a central batter for India for several years and has also served as an inspirational captain. She was the skipper when India won the ODI World Cup at Navi Mumbai, beating South Africa, a role the piece says she deserved. Her 2017 World Cup semifinal innings against Australia pushed India into the final at Lord’s, where they lost to England.

That 2017 knock is cited as a formative moment for many players, with the article noting it inspired not just girls in India but players worldwide. Among those who highlighted its impact was Chloe Tryon, identified in the piece as a South African all-rounder and a Mumbai Indians teammate of Harmanpreet’s in the WPL.

Tryon is quoted directly on Harmanpreet’s influence: “It was incredible to watch that innings and it has been a remarkable to watch her journey, too,” says the South African all-rounder, who has been her teammate at Mumbai Indians in the WPL. She added, “Since the time I was a small girl, I was looking up to big players and she has been a role model for so many players around the world.”

On Harmanpreet’s longevity and leadership, Tryon said: “And she is leading from the front, which is really good to see,” she says. “I hope she has 200 games more; I don’t know how many more she could push through. It is great to see how much the women’s game has grown and the way she has taken it forward. She is a fierce player. You get afraid the longer she bats.”

Sunday’s match at Old Trafford carries immediate tournament consequence: the result will influence India’s chances of securing a ticket for the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup.