Harmanpreet says COVID and injury hampered preparation, promises 'different' approach in T20s
However, the senior batter is confident of finding her her mojo back in the three-match T20 series against England, beginning here on Friday. Having wowed with her trailblazing 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final, Harmanpreet has struggled to find her rhythm and has not scored an ODI century since then.
In T20s, she’s yet to score a fifty since her 103 against New Zealand in November 2018.
“I am someone who likes to train everyday, who likes to work hard everyday but because of COVID and injuries I didn’t get that much time to prepare,” Harmanpreet said in a virtual media conference on the eve of the first T20.
“These are not excuses but this is the reality which I faced. It’s a matter of one good innings and definitely I will carry on from there. I’m someone who likes to give 200 per cent on the field, needs a lot of time for preparation on the ground. At international level, you can’t get things easily, the mindset and approach for the game is not that easy.”
A groin injury ruled her out of the T20 series against South Africa in March and there was worse in store for her as she contracted COVID-19 soon after. Harmanpreet scored four and eight in the drawn one-off Test against England, while in the following three ODIs she had scores of 1, 19 and 16.
“After the five innings I’ve understood, where and how to improve. You will definitely see a different approach from my side in the T20s. Right now, I’m feeling good, physically I’m fit but the only thing I need is some more time in the nets. That’s all I can say.
