Harmanpreet Kaur Explains Why Staying Offline Is Crucial For Players During Major ICC Tournaments

India's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup winners shared rare insights into pressure, pain and recovery on JioStar's 'Unstoppable', while also looking ahead to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Head Coach Amol Muzumdar, and batter Jemimah Rodrigues discussed the England defeat, mental health battles, selection calls and why staying offline sometimes helps.

Harmanpreet Kaur recalled how Amol Muzumdar addressed the dressing room after the narrow league loss against England. The captain said the talk cut through the disappointment and forced everyone to examine personal responsibility. Harmanpreet Kaur stressed that the squad understood the message, even though emotions were still raw after the result.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 reflections from Harmanpreet Kaur on England defeat

Speaking on JioStar's 'Unstoppable', India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur shared her thoughts on the Head Coach's address to the team after the England game: "After the England match, I think Amol sir was the only one who spoke, and he was very straightforward. Everybody took it in the right spirit because we all knew there was nothing wrong in what he was saying. That was the first time I saw his volume go a little high because he is usually a very soft-spoken person. I remember him saying, 'Go and buy a mirror and see what you're doing and what you need to do at that stage.'"

Amol Muzumdar later explained how that same England match still stays in memory. The Head Coach said the four-run defeat changed the mood in the camp and needed an honest internal review. Muzumdar also pointed out how the team had competed strongly to that point in the tournament.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 context and Amol Muzumdar on England loss

Speaking on JioStar's 'Unstoppable', India Head Coach Amol Muzumdar looked back at the narrow 4-run loss against England in the league phase: "Obviously, I was disappointed with the loss against England; it goes without saying. We were so close, and especially in that game, it felt like the match was completely in our back pockets. When somebody snatches that away from you, it hurts deeply, and I think it affected us in the wrong way. I remember sitting in the dugout and saying that we had put in an honest effort so far. So, let's have an honest conversation about this."

While Muzumdar focused on the group response, Jemimah Rodrigues spoke about a very personal battle around the same time. The top-order batter said the pressure of performing at home, in a World Cup, weighed heavily. The struggle did not start mid-tournament, but even before the first ball of the event.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 build-up and Jemimah Rodrigues on mental struggles

Speaking on JioStar's 'Unstoppable', Jemimah Rodrigues opened up about her mental struggles since even before the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025: "For some reason, even before the World Cup started, I was not doing well mentally. Maybe it was because it was a home World Cup, and with the expectations that come with it. And it being a World Cup, the pressure doubles. In the very first match, I got out for a duck off the first ball itself. That really broke me, it crushed me. The worst part was that it started affecting my fielding as well. I am someone who enjoys fielding, but I was putting so much pressure on myself that I wasn't able to move the way I normally do. I made a few misfields, which I usually wouldn't."

Rodrigues also described how a later league match briefly lifted confidence before another low point. A quick 30-plus against Australia, at a strong strike rate, suggested a return to form. Yet, when the England fixture arrived, Rodrigues found out at the ground that selection had gone against that expectation.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 ambitions and Jemimah Rodrigues on being dropped

On being dropped for the England game: "I kept wondering, 'What is happening? Why is this happening?' Then came the league game against Australia, where I scored an impactful 33-odd at a good strike rate. That gave me some confidence, and I told myself, 'Okay, fine. The England game is very important. Let's do whatever it takes to win against England.' I really wanted to do it for the team because the World Cup was at stake, and we had already lost two games in a row. That game was crucial. Amol sir messaged me saying, 'I need to talk to you.' Then, at the ground, I was told that I had been dropped from the team for that game. I was broken inside."

Away from tactical calls and individual form, Harmanpreet Kaur also touched on how players manage outside noise during long tournaments. The captain said staying off social media helps protect mental space. That approach applies regardless of whether performances are strong or poor, with feedback filtered only after campaigns end.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 focus and social media approach of Team India

On staying away from social media during a big tournament: "I don't use social media much because I think it can drain you mentally. So, I don't read stuff, especially during tournaments, whether I'm doing well or not. I don't like to read too much into it. Maybe after the tournament, I go through a few things, which I think is important. Because I also know that if I'm doing well, I know I'm doing well, and if I'm not doing well, I don't need to read what others are thinking or take advice from everyone."

Team India, which claimed a first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title last year after a strong comeback, now turns attention to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The experiences against England, the mental challenges described by Jemimah Rodrigues, and Amol Muzumdar's direct messaging all shape that preparation, alongside Harmanpreet Kaur's stress on staying mentally fresh.