“Our pacers keep getting injured…” Harmanpreet Kaur voices concern after India’s Tri-Series win in Sri Lanka

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In a blaze of runs, wickets and unwavering dominance, India's women's cricket team sealed the ODI Tri-Nation Series title in Colombo on Sunday, defeating Sri Lanka by 97 runs in a commanding finale.

Yet, amid the celebratory air at the R. Premadasa Stadium, captain Harmanpreet Kaur struck a thoughtful note, voicing concerns over the persistent injury troubles plaguing India's pace attack.

"Our pacers keep getting injured, that's something we need to take care of, the coaches are working on it," Harmanpreet remarked after the match. With the ODI World Cup on the horizon, her words were a reminder that even a triumphant campaign leaves room for introspection and repair.

The final itself was a showcase of India's batting firepower. Opting to bat first-just as they had planned-India piled up a daunting 342 for seven. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a breathtaking century, anchoring the innings with elegance and control. Her knock set the platform for a string of attacking cameos, including those from Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, and the skipper herself.

"Proud of the entire team, especially the batters, we wanted to play good cricket, were looking to bat first if we win the toss and pretty happy with how we played," said Harmanpreet at the presentation ceremony, beaming with pride.

The reply from the hosts, Sri Lanka, never quite found the steam to chase down the total. Despite some spirited resistance, they were bundled out for 245. It was once again Sneh Rana who turned the screws with the ball. Her guile and consistency earned her the Player-of-the-Series award after finishing with a stellar 15 wickets across the tournament.

"The way Sneh Rana bowled was also a big positive," Harmanpreet noted, singling out the all-rounder for praise alongside the younger batters. "The way the other batters, apart from Smriti and me, the way they batted was a big positive. There are a lot of positives to talk about, but just want to enjoy the moment right now."

Enjoyment, it seems, was well-earned, especially after overcoming the sweltering Sri Lankan heat. "Enjoyed the conditions here in Sri Lanka, we did struggle to get accustomed to the heat, but we then got used to it and nice to win this trophy," she added.

While India celebrated a comprehensive series win, Harmanpreet's comments highlighted the need for better management of player fitness, particularly among the fast bowlers. With global tournaments beckoning, the depth of the squad will be tested, and sustained fitness could be the difference between promise and podium.

For now, though, India can revel in a dominant display marked by standout performances, team synergy, and a well-deserved trophy. The road to the World Cup looks promising-but not without its bumps.

Source: Press Trust of India (PTI)