India may have lost the ODI series to Australia but they managed to end their mighty hosts’ winning streak at 26 matches when they won the last game. They then dominated Australia in their first-ever pink-ball Test which was hampered by rain, a factor that helped the hosts eck out a draw. T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that the team are in a different frame of mind compared to where they were in March, when they were beaten by South Africa in a five-match ODI series and in a three-T20I series at home.

“See, South Africa and England, we played after almost one year and we were building a new team. At that time, players take time to adjust but now we are in good shape. When you play after one year, there are things that can go up and down, right now, we are looking in a great frame of mind and we understand our game better. Back-to-back cricket makes things clear,” the 32-year-old told reporters on Wednesday.

Harmanpreet had missed out on the ODI series and the pink-ball Test but she said that she is now fully fit for the T20Is and the run-up to the World Cup next year.

“Earlier, when I got injured, it was difficult. I was always involved in the game, but this time I learnt a lot sitting on the sidelines. I am quite better now, I have confidence and I am hitting the ball well in the nets. I missed the ODI series and Test because I was not fit and it was hampering my fielding. But I am perfectly fine now, I have a lot of cricket coming up so I am excited,” said Harmanpreet.

“Rules and regulations that we are following right now, we have to stay away from fitness for 10-15 days and for a regular player, it is hard. Personally, I have accepted this, you need to give yourself time and if I keep thinking things are not going my way, then that is not good for me. I want to give my 100 per cent in all the matches I play. Right now, I am thankful to my support staff for taking care of me and they are managing my workload,” she said.

Harmanpreet added that India will be having high hopes from 21-year-old batter Jemimah Rodrigues scored 249 runs, including three half-centuries, with a highest score of 92 not out in The Hundred.

“Jemimah Rodrigues played really good cricket in The Hundred. Her individual performance was quite good and she played the role perfectly for her side. We have high hopes for her, when someone is in good form, the team has high expectations. We wish the form she showed in The Hundred, the same she has for us in the T20I series against Australia,” said Harmanpreet.

The three-match T20I series between India and Australia starts on Thursday.