Harmanpreet says India are "hungry for more" after Lord’s ahead of Asia Cup and Asian Games
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said the national women’s team have developed a winning culture and are "hungry for more" as they prepare for the UAE Asia Cup T20 and the Asian Games in Japan, after a 270-run victory over England at Lord’s last month.
India enter the Asia Cup as record seven-time champions and will contest an eight-team tournament that begins Friday (August 28, 2026) in the UAE; they share Group A with Pakistan and will then embark on a title defence at the Asian Games in Japan after having won gold when they debuted at Hangzhou.
"We of course expect to win. Our team has been playing very good cricket," Kaur told Sony Sports, adding: "The last 4-5 years have been good, and where we have played good cricket, dominating cricket, have defeated big teams and won series also.”
The Kaur-led side sealed a 270-run win over England at Lord’s, which the captain cited as part of a run of successes: "Now, we are coming after the win at Lord’s and have also won many games on the trot, so the team has already tasted success and will be hungry for more."
On the importance of mindset within the squad, Kaur said: "The best thing is, everybody in the team talks about how to win a match, how to win tournaments. So when you have that kind of culture, you always feel motivated and you and you really look forward to go for any tournament." She added: "So this (Asia Cup) tournament is very important and I am sure we will play as a team and once again will make our country proud."
Addressing the extra scrutiny of India versus Pakistan fixtures, Kaur said: "No doubt it’s a high-pressure game and as a player you need to deal with multiple things. We keep playing international cricket but the amount of pressure in a India vs Pakistan match, that kind of pressure you don’t feel anywhere else.” She noted the nationwide attention: "Somewhere we know every Indian is watching, not only cricket fans but every Indian is watching because that match is so important for all of us." On her own approach she said: "As a captain and as a player, I try to keep things very simple, very easy. Only focus on cricket, focus on our aims, focus on our routines."
Describing the Asian Games as a unique opportunity, Kaur said: "As a cricketer I think this is a very big opportunity because before this we have mostly played ICC tournaments but have not fought for a medal because as a team we have always fought for any particular trophy." She added: "This is one such moment where you get your own medal and I think when it’s about the medals, the motivation increases even more. Day and night we keep thinking how will we feel after winning the medal and how we will celebrate." Kaur also remarked on the wider experience: "It also gives the chance to witness other sports, meet other players, understand their routines so it’s not just only about cricket but knowing your other sports fellows also on how they prepare," added the gold-winning Indian skipper at Hangzhou.
Kaur said expectations will accompany the team but emphasised focus on execution: "Yes definitely, the last time we had played very dominating cricket and one-sided contests so there will be expectations from us to play that kind of cricket again. I’m sure the country is looking forward that one gold medal coming from cricket, so I know pressure is going to be there, but at the same time, focusing on your job and how to achieve that job is more important."
India’s immediate schedule begins with the Asia Cup in the UAE from August 28, 2026, where the side will face Pakistan in Group A as part of the eight-team competition before travelling to Japan for their Asian Games title defence.