Who will be India’s No.3 in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?
By Gurlal Singh
Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.
Posted: October 4, 2024
Last updated: February 12, 2025
Jemimah Rodrigues is the best option for number 3 but India will try Harmanpreet Kaur at no.3 in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Indian women’s cricket team faced a persistent issue in finding the right player for the crucial No.3 batting position. This spot, often seen as the backbone of the batting lineup in T20 cricket, requires a player who can stabilize the innings or switch gears to attack, depending on the match situation. Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s seasoned campaigner, whose role at No.3 has been confirmed by head coach Amol Muzumdar, signaling a strategic move to leverage her vast experience and leadership qualities.
Harmanpreet Kaur Stats at No.3 Batting Position
Harmanpreet Kaur’s batting stats across different positions:
| Position | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | 100s | 50s | 0s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd position | 2014-2014 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 77 | 77 | 77.00 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3rd position | 2012-2023 | 18 | 18 | 4 | 298 | 48 | 21.28 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4th position | 2009-2024 | 107 | 107 | 22 | 2474 | 68* | 29.10 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 5th position | 2010-2023 | 22 | 22 | 4 | 504 | 103 | 28.00 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 6th position | 2012-2014 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 53 | 36* | 26.50 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7th position | 2022-2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 12.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8th position | 2009-2009 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Harmanpreet Kaur, at 35, brings to the table not just her aggressive batting but also her experience of playing in various conditions around the world. Despite her previous stats at No.3 not being particularly flattering — with 298 runs from 18 matches at an average that doesn’t do justice to her capability — the decision to place her there is rooted in her recent form.
Why is Harmanpreet Kaur’s role at No.3 important?
The choice of Harmanpreet for this role is strategic. Her ability to handle pressure, combined with her power-hitting, makes her an ideal candidate to either build on a good start or salvage the innings if early wickets fall. Her presence could also psychologically impact the opposition, given her reputation for turning games around single-handedly.
Her Performance in Warm-ups:
Harmanpreet’s performance in India’s warm-up games against West Indies and South Africa was not good. She scored only 11 Runs in 2 games.
What are the expectations from Harmanpreet Kaur?
India’s strategy to solidify the No.3 position comes after experimenting with players like Yastika Bhatia and Dayalan Hemalatha, who couldn’t cement their place. Harmanpreet’s new role is not just about personal performance but also about guiding the younger players around her, providing stability, and possibly freeing up stroke players like Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues to express themselves more freely.
As India prepares to face New Zealand in their opening game on October 4, 2024, in Dubai, all eyes will be on Harmanpreet. Her performance at No.3 could very well dictate India’s campaign in this tournament. If she manages to strike a balance between caution and aggression, Harmanpreet could end up being the linchpin India has been searching for in their batting lineup.
19:30 IST
