Mumbai, Jan 14: Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim praised Harmanpreet Kaur’s competitive spirit and match awareness, saying that it’s a difficult job for the opposition to set the field for her, after the Mumbai Indians pulled off a thrilling seven-wicket win against the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League 2026 on Tuesday at the DY Patil Stadium.

Reflecting on Harmanpreet’s innings, Karim described the Mumbai Indians captain as one of the most adaptable and difficult batters to contain in modern women’s cricket.

“It’s always a pleasure to watch Harmanpreet bat like this. The secret to her success, longevity and consistency is her ability to adapt very quickly. That comes from her awareness of the match situation and her early assessment of conditions,” he told Jiostar.

“She plays the field extremely well. It’s not easy to set a field for Harmanpreet. She exploits the offside with ease and is equally strong on the leg side. Her ability to coil and uncoil at the right moment, combined with her back lift and downswing, makes it very difficult for bowlers to contain her,” he added.

Karim acknowledged that although the innings had imperfections, the 36-year-old captain’s clarity and understanding of the game once again distinguished him.

“She finds gaps against both pace and spin and reads the game exceptionally well. Her WPL record speaks for itself. More than 1,000 runs batting at number four, along with several fifties, shows the immense value she brings every time she walks out to bat,” Karim said.

Former New Zealand cricketer Katey Martin also shared similar views, emphasising the Indian batter’s skill in managing the pace of a chase and leveraging her strengths at key moments.

“I think Harmanpreet never wants to leave this ground. She turned up here on the first day with a massive smile on her face. Before that, she had taken the World Cup home as well, and she continues,” said Martin.

“She commits to her strengths, but the way she paces her innings is so crucial. She started off slowly, eight off eight, looked for her match up, which was Ashleigh Gardner, and then went after her. When you see shots like her drives over extra cover and mid-wicket, you wonder how someone can hit all around the ground with such power and precision. You want your best player to stand up in chases, and Harmanpreet did exactly that,” she added.

Martin also commended Amanjot Kaur’s role and her partnership with Harmanpreet, which was crucial in turning the momentum back in the Mumbai Indians’ favour.

“Amanjot is a real competitor and always wants to be in the fight. Batting at number three was a different role for her, but she understood the situation perfectly. Around the ninth over, when they went for back-to-back big overs, that was the momentum shift. In T20 cricket, momentum is everything. That partnership took pressure off Harmanpreet and allowed her to finish the job calmly,” she observed.

Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 71-run knock and Amanjot’s crucial contribution in the middle led the Mumbai Indians to their second consecutive win in the ongoing WPL edition.

Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai police will impose traffic restrictions on the service road near Dr. D. Y. Patil Stadium in Nerul from January 9 to January 17, 2026, to ensure security and smooth movement during the BCCI Women’s Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket matches.

According to the traffic control notification issued by the Turbhe Traffic Division, all types of vehicles will be barred from plying and parking on the service road between Bhimashankar Society and the L.P. Rickshaw Stand from 7 am to 11 pm on match days, as the route has been earmarked for the movement of players and dignitaries.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Tirupati Kakade said the restrictions are being enforced under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act to prevent congestion and maintain law and order in the stadium vicinity during the matches.

Commuters have been advised to use the Sion–Panvel Highway, specifically the Uran Phata to L.P. Bridge stretch, as an alternative route to reach their destinations.

The restrictions will not apply to vehicles carrying essential commodities, police vehicles, fire brigade units, ambulances, government vehicles, other emergency services, and vehicles holding official passes issued by the WPL/IPL management.

Amaravati, Dec 29: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday congratulated Koneru Humpy on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championships.

“Champions are not defined by one result, but by the courage to compete at the highest level, again and again. A bronze on the world stage reflects true excellence. Your journey, consistency, and the pride you bring to India inspire millions,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.

He also congratulated Arjun Erigaisi on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. “His podium finish makes him the only Indian male player to achieve this feat since Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand. A son of Telangana, Arjun, has added another chapter of pride to India’s illustrious chess legacy,” said CM Naidu.

Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, Home Minister V. Anitha, Roads and Buildings Minister B. C. Janardhan Reddy and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman A. Ravi Naidu also congratulated Koneru Humpy.

Minister Ramprasad Reddy noted that Humpy has already won five medals at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. He said India was proud of her achievements.

He termed the woman chess champion as an inspiration for all women sportspersons and wished that she bring many more laurels to India and the state.

SAAP Chairman Ravi Naidu said that Humpy has made India proud by winning five medals at the FIDE Championship.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also congratulated Arjun Erigaisi.

“Congratulations to the son of the soil on securing the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship. With this achievement, he becomes the only Indian male player to reach the podium at this event since Viswanathan Anand. Telangana is proud of your achievements,” posted Bandi Sanjay.

He also congratulated Koneru Humpy on winning the bronze medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship and said that she continues to make India proud.