IND-W vs WI-W: With a rekindled energy, Harleen Deol finally let’s her bat do the talking

IND-W vs WI-W: With a rekindled energy, Harleen Deol finally let’s her bat do the talking

A knee surgery forced Harleen Deol out of action for nine months. While she missed being with the Indian team and hanging out with her team-mates during that phase, it also made her mentally stronger and more determined.

The batter knew that the comeback to the national team won’t be easy, with immense competition for those coveted spots. A firm believer in destiny, Harleen did not lose self-belief and throughout her recovery period, she visualised scoring a century on return to international cricket and guiding her team to convincing victories.

At the Kotambi Stadium on Tuesday, she turned her dreams into a reality.

As Harleen scored her maiden international century, five-and-a-half years after her debut, she also became the first centurion at the brand new Kotambi Stadium. By her own admission, Harleen did not know about the record while batting, but the historic city of Vadodara has been special to her. Much before her 115-ball-103 against the West Indies in the second women’s ODI, Harleen enjoyed success in this city with regular scores at the national zonal tournaments. “I scored a lot of runs here and eventually got picked for the India A tour,” she said.

While those memories are still fresh in her mind, for Harleen, it wasn’t easy to make her presence felt at the international arena after returning from a long injury lay-off. The backing of captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been a blessing for her. Coach Amol Muzumdar, too, has been around – guiding her out of the woods. Despite some mediocre scores during the ODI series against Australia earlier this month, the team management did not give up on her. In fact, on the eve of the second women’s ODI, Muzumdar addressed the team where he told Harleen to imagine that she had scored a fifty or a hundred the next day.

And, she kept her word.

“Amol sir told me after the (team) meeting: ‘Just imagine that you are scoring a fifty or a hundred (tommorrow). So, obviously, I didn’t know that I had that capability. I felt really good that (Amol) Sir and Harry (Harmanpreet)  di showed that confidence in me. (When) You are coming from an injury, you need that support. So, I’m very happy,” Harleen said.

It took her 31 innings to reach the maiden ton, and despite being in the set-up for a long time, her records at the international stage weren’t all that impressive, with just three fifties and a highest of 77. While questions were raised, time and again, over her future, Harleen proved her mettle against the West Indies as she made the most of a reprieve and went all guns blazing to not only reach the three digits but also pave the way for her team’s huge win.

She, however, calls it ‘God’s plan’.

“It’s not always (about) how you plan things. It’s just God’s plan. You just have to keep believing it, keep having trust in him. That’s the only thing. You can’t think… I can also say that I wish I score a century in each of the next 10 matches. It can happen too,” she said with a smile.

While she isn’t sure if this century will be the turning point in her career, for Harleen it’s about staying grounded and enjoying the healthy competition – especially at a time when the Women’s ODI World Cup is just a few months away and there will be cut-throat competition for a spot in the squad.

“I feel that it’s a healthy competition. I just see myself as a competitor, because when you come out of an injury, when you are out of cricket for a long time, your mindset completely shifts towards what your preparation is. How you see things. So, I see things very differently. I feel that you get what God gives you at a certain time. When you get that, it’s only meant for you, and not anyone else will get it,” she said.

“Obviously, the (ODI) World Cup is around. You want to do well. I’m someone who leaves everything to God…”

Missing out on the Asia Cup, T20 World Cup and quite a few bilateral tournaments weren’t easy for Harleen, but while undergoing rehabilitation, she knew someday she will come back and let her bat do the talking.

She did come back, stronger and mightier. So did her willow!