Expressing her delight over receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award, India women team’s star Harmanpreet Kaur has said the recognition will motivate her to work even better in future.
The all-rounder starred for India in the recently-concluded World Cup where Mithali Raj & Co. defied all the odds to make it to the final. After a slow start to the tournament, Harmanpreet roared back to form with a 60-run knock in the must-win game against New Zealand before blowing away Australia in the semifinals with a stunning 115-ball 171-run knock that was studded with 20 fours and seven sixes. In the final, she scored 51 but could not take India over the line.
Along with her teammates, Harmanpreet has also been showered with praises and prizes after the heroic display in England and would be now one of the 17 sports persons to receive the Arjuna Award from the President of India on Tuesday (August 29).
“For a sportsperson, any kind of recognition from the government is welcome and it boosts your confidence. Getting Arjuna Award is a dream for any sportsperson,” Harmanpreet told PTI.
“I thank the government for thinking that I am worthy of this award and I am very happy for this. This will motivate me to work even better in future,” she added.
The 28-year old further expressed her wish to see an Indian Premier League for the women cricketers.
“We get the opportunity to play in other leagues like women’s Big Bash League (in Australia), Kia Super League (in England). If there is women’s IPL in India, it will be very big. I think the BCCI is mulling over on this issue. I wish a women’s IPL starts in the near future,” said Kaur.
With the women cricketers showered with adulation following the World Cup campaign, Harmanpreet said she was feeling good with the receptions from the fans and hoped that the BCCI would make an effort to increase the matches for the Women in Blue.
“I am feeling good (to have got the adulation of the people). The people of India gave us a big reception and responded in a big way to our performance in the World Cup. We feel proud that we have performed well for the country. We hope to do even better in the times to come,” she said and added: “I hope the quantum of international matches will increase and the BCCI is having a discussion on this and meetings are being held.”