Navi Mumbai, Jan 14 (NationPress) Mumbai Indians all-rounder Amanjot Kaur commended her captain Harmanpreet Kaur following the latter's remarkable performance against the Gujarat Giants on Tuesday at the DY Patil Stadium, where the two-time champions dealt the Ashleigh Gardner-led team their initial defeat of the season.

Amanjot showcased her skills during the match against GG, scoring a quick-fire 40 runs off 26 balls, significantly aiding her team's chase. Harmanpreet concluded the innings with an impressive 71 runs off 43 balls, leading her team to victory.

The pair contributed a vital 72-run partnership, stabilizing Mumbai’s innings after early wickets fell in the powerplay.

“I feel truly blessed. In fact, we all are fortunate to experience the Harmanpreet Kaur era,” Amanjot expressed during the post-match conference. “With her on the field, no one feels the urge to relax, even for a moment. Last year, she delivered an exceptional performance too. Batting alongside her alleviates the pressure.”

“Although my partnerships with Harman di have been limited, I was aware that I wouldn’t have to fret about boundaries because she would handle that. I have gained significant game awareness from her. She lofted an inswinger over the covers, which was quite a challenge. When she connects, you know it’s going for six,” she further added.

Regarding her batting position at number three, Amanjot mentioned, “Unfortunately, Nat had to sit out due to food poisoning. When I was asked if I wanted to bat at number three, I gladly accepted the role wherever the team required me.”

When questioned about her mindset before entering the crease during a hefty chase, Amanjot noted, “It hinges on the situation. We were pursuing a large total and Kamalini got dismissed early. With Hayley, the plan was to exploit the powerplay.”

“When Harmanpreet joined, we discussed my aggressive intent. Given the challenging total, we agreed that one of us needed to bat through the innings, which she did, leading us to victory,” she explained.

The all-rounder has recently adopted a finisher's role, crediting the Mumbai Indians for her development in this capacity.

“MI has significantly influenced my growth. In domestic cricket, I primarily batted as an opener. I had never batted at number eight before. I feel fortunate; my debuts have been memorable. This was also my first World Cup. After experiencing injuries, my returns have been quite positive. It took me a while to adapt to this role,” she stated.

Amanjot's bowling, however, remains a work in progress. While she excelled with the bat, she conceded 48 runs in her four-over spell, which proved costly for the team.

“We have both Shambin (Ismail) and Jhulu di (Jhulan Goswami), two legends in the game. With Nat, Amelia, and Hayley, we continuously engage in discussions. In cricket, learning is a never-ending journey. You must constantly prove your worth. I am diligently working on my bowling to achieve consistency,” Amanjot concluded.