India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes that the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) will play a crucial role in the team's preparation for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The WPL, set to run from February 14 to March 15, will provide the India players with the opportunity to fine-tune their game and raise their fitness levels ahead of the home World Cup in October.

This year’s World Cup will be a significant milestone for Harmanpreet, as it will be her first time leading India in a 50-over tournament. The five-team WPL will feature 20 league matches and two knockout games across four cities in India. Following the tournament, the India squad will have a break of more than three months before traveling to England for a series of T20Is and ODIs. The next major assignment will be a series of three home ODIs against world champions Australia in late September, followed by the much-anticipated World Cup.

In a press conference in Mumbai, Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of the WPL in helping the players stay match-fit and mentally sharp in the lead-up to the World Cup. "I think this WPL is going to play a very big role because this year we have the ODI World Cup. After the WPL, we have a very good window where we can work on our fitness and raise our fitness level. I think that gap will really help us to work really hard on ourselves," Harmanpreet said.

India had a disappointing campaign in the 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand, failing to reach the semi-finals under the captaincy of Mithali Raj. As the team looks to bounce back this year, many players, including some recovering from injuries, will benefit from the WPL as a platform to regain match fitness.

Harmanpreet herself had to sit out of several games last year, including two T20Is against the West Indies and the three ODIs against Ireland. Some other key players, such as Pooja Vastrakar, Yastika Bhatia, Shreyanka Patil, and Priya Punia, have also been sidelined with injuries. Vastrakar's fitness is being closely monitored by her WPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, ahead of her participation in the tournament.

The India captain acknowledged the challenges posed by the packed international schedule, particularly with back-to-back series against Australia, the West Indies, and Ireland at the turn of the year. However, she remains optimistic about the busy cricketing calendar. "As a cricketer, we really want our schedule to be packed, and injuries are part of the game, sometimes out of our control," Harmanpreet said. "But I’m happy with the way our schedule is structured, and as a player, I’m enjoying the challenge."

Harmanpreet also highlighted the potential for young players to shine, as several debutants impressed during the recent series. With the World Cup on the horizon and a packed season ahead, the India captain expressed her excitement for what’s to come. "This season and this year are going to be very exciting because of the home World Cup. Hopefully, we gel well as a team, do what is required, and play some good cricket," Harmanpreet added.

The WPL, set to feature some of the world’s top players, promises to be an exciting competition, and it will serve as a key stepping stone in India’s preparations for the 2023 Women's ODI World Cup.