The Harmanpreet Kaur-led women’s cricket team is in for a new experience when they play in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for the first time next week. Harmanpreet is excited about living in the Games Village and interacting with athletes across the globe. Just to imagine being part of the opening ceremony has also been thrilling.

“As we speak, I actually feel as if I am walking on that road... We have been talking about the fact that we will be part of a multi-sport event and there will be other teams also apart from cricket. We want to celebrate each and every medal that we will win. “It will be a different experience and we can’t wait to fly to Birmingham and be part of the great event,” Harmanpreet said during an online media conference on Saturday. “This tournament is very important for us. This time we are playing for a medal. If I speak about myself, we have grown watching these kind of tournaments and we are glad that we are also getting an opportunity,” she said.

Head coach Ramesh Powar is equally excited. “If there is an opportunity, we would all like to meet PV Sindhu and Neeraj Chopra because they have set the bar high and we would like to go into their minds. “I am curious about their preparation because the way they handle the pressure is commendable. We would like to exchange some notes with these top-class athletes,” Powar said. The men’s team had participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1998 when cricket was a feature event. The team leaves on Sunday and will open their campaign against Australia on July 29. India are clubbed in group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan and Barbados, besides Australia. “Whenever we play against Australia, they have always given us tough competition and this time, we are looking very positive. Every game will be crucial for us and we will try to give our 100 per cent,” Harmanpreet said.

According to her, it is important to perform well in big events. “Yes, as a cricketer, we always want to play more cricket and this year we are getting to participate in a multi-sport event. So, when you go for a big-event it is important to perform well, the more we get such tournaments, it is good for women’s cricket.”