Harmanpreet backs Kashvee for key role in South Africa series

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has thrown her weight behind young seam-bowling all-rounder Kashvee Gautam to play a key role in India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, as the team builds towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June.

India have opted for a pace-heavy combination suited to South African conditions, with Kashvee in line for a potential T20I debut, especially as Amanjot Kaur continues to recover from a back injury.

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“Kashvee is someone who is very talented. She can contribute with both batting and bowling, and she is a great fielder also. So, having these kinds of players is very important. Bringing her to the T20 cricket is very important because now, as Aman is not here, she is someone who can do really well for the team.

“So, I think this is a very important series for all the young players who haven’t played much international cricket. But giving them the opportunity here will make a lot of difference for us,” Harmanpreet said in the pre-series press conference.

Kashvee has impressed in the Women’s Premier League with Gujarat Giants, picking up 19 wickets in 18 matches. She has also shown promise with the bat, including a 43-run knock in an ODI in Brisbane and an unbeaten 34 in the one-off Test in Perth earlier this year.

Explaining the team combination, Harmanpreet highlighted the need for additional pace options in South African conditions. “The only thing is, when you come to South Africa, you have to go with at least four medium pacer options because the pitches are different here. But if you play in India, you can always cut down one pacer and go with an extra spinner,” she said.

The captain also expressed confidence in her existing spin unit, highlighting contributions from Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma. “Apart from that, Shreyanka did really well. So, we already have a spin bowling attack, who are already playing in the eleven, and they are contributing really well. Deepti has always been in the team.

Harmanpreet also clarified the decision to continue with Uma Chetry as the second wicketkeeper-batter ahead of G Kamalini. “See, we brought Kamalini in the team earlier, but unfortunately, that time she got injured.

“But then Uma Chetry came to the team, and after that, we wanted to continue with the same wicket-keeper. We didn’t want to try again and again. Kamalini is fit right now, but she is going to play in domestic cricket, and again, we will see how things go in the future,” she added.

Buoyed by their 2025 ODI World Cup triumph, Harmanpreet believes the team is well-placed physically and mentally ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“I think after the ODI World Cup, the team is looking quite confident. Wherever we are going, we are going with full confidence, and we have seen that when playing against Australia,” she said.

She also acknowledged the challenge posed by South Africa, led by Laura Wolvaardt, describing them as a well-rounded and competitive unit.

“I feel South Africa team is quite a balanced side. They have very good players and good all-rounders who always come up when the team needs. They have been playing really good cricket for the last four or five years,” said Harmanpreet.