A Kaur for Kaur in the squad

Sunny Kaul
Tribune News Service
chandigarh, february 21

Harleen Kaur Deol, the 20-year-old Chandigarh-born cricketer who plays for Himachal Pradesh, provides an indication of the growth of women’s cricket in the region.

The all-rounder has replaced the injured Harmanpreet Kaur for the three-match ODI series against England Women, which begins tomorrow in Mumbai. In the recent times, after Harmanpreet (Punjab), Sushma Verma (Himachal Pradesh), Sneh Rana (Punjab player born in Dehradun) and Taniya Bhatia (Punjab), Harleen is the latest addition to the stock of women players from the region to be selected for India. “It is a great feeling to be here,” said Harleen. “It is a great opportunity for me to make my place in the Indian team and I am looking forward to it.”

Harleen put up a decent show in the Challenger Trophy while turning out for India Red earlier this year and was looking good during the Indian Board President’s match against England on Monday before she was run out on 21.

“A couple of days ago we were playing against England, I was batting well but got run out… I was the highest run-scorer in the Challenger Trophy as well, so I won’t say I was surprised by the India call-up,” said Harleen. The youngster, however, was quick to add: “I was expecting a T20 call.”

“I knew there was a place in the T20 side as (Dayalan) Hemalatha is out with an injury. So I thought maybe I could get a chance... But suddenly I got a call for the ODIs, that was a bit surprising,” she said.

Rising stock

What has changed for women’s cricket in the region over the years? “Earlier, we used to compete in our zone only and we felt we were good,” said Punjab women’s team coach RP Singh. “But when we started playing at the all-India level we had to develop the right kind of infrastructure… In Punjab, Himachal, things changed.”

This explains why Harleen plays for Himachal — she got selected for the HPCA Academy in Dharamsala and moved there in 2012. “If we wanted to compete at a higher level, we needed good facilities… The administration pitched in, there was good atmosphere for training and gradually more practice matches were held in the region,” Singh added. “More camps were conducted, it all helped women’s cricket grow.”

“We used to play in the North Zone only, but with BCCI changing the format, we are getting to play more matches,” Singh elaborated. “Earlier, there were six-seven teams in the zone and only two could progress to the next level. In such a scenario, a lot of talented cricketers were left behind. They could not reach the level where the selectors could see them play.”

“Now, with the new format in place, like we have for the boys in the Ranji Trophy, more kids are playing at the all-India level and they are attracting the selectors’ attention. So players are performing well,” he added.