Women’s T20 Challenge 2022: Harmanpeet Kaur lauds Pooja Vastrakar after Supernovas beat Trailblazers

Harmanpreet Kaur's Supernovas beat the Trailblazers by 49 runs at the MCA Stadium in Pune and started their campaign in grand style.

Supernovas’ skipper Harmapreet Kaur talked about the importance of building partnerships after her team defeated the Trailblazers by 49 runs in the opening match of the 2022 Women’s T20 Challenge at the MCA Stadium in Pune. The Supernovas got off to a flying start after Deandra Dottin and Priya Punia put on 50 runs for the opening wicket off 30 balls.

But after skipper Harmanpreet and Harleen Deol’s 37-run stand, the Supernovas lost their way a wee bit and ended with 163 in 20 overs. Kaur put forth the importance of building more partnerships to keep the opposition under pressure for a prolonged time period.

“The way we wanted to bowl in the second innings, we did really well. Whatever we planned we were able to execute. A proper game for us. I think we were 20 runs short. Whenever I was thinking to execute myself, we were losing wickets. That's why I had to stay there, look for ones and twos. We need to look for partnerships. Weren't able to do that after Harleen and mine,” Harmanpreet said.

Harmanpreet also had words of praise for Pooja Vastrakar, who won the Player of the Match award, for picking up a four-wicket haul. On the back of her spell, the Supernovas restricted the Trailblazers to 113/9.

“Pooja did a great job for us - that's what we were expecting from her. We just need to come back with the same motion. When you win the game, you're happy and relaxed. Because we won, I don't think we're very tired,” she added.

Vastrakar also scored a handy 12-ball 14 with one four, giving the Supernovas’ innings a final flurry. The Supernovas will next face the Velocity on Tuesday, May 24.