India suffered an embarrassing defeat against Australia in the final Group A match of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, October 13 in Sharjah. Such a narrow nine-run margin was shocking, and it severely dented their chances to gain the semi-final berth. The team now depends on the outcome of the Pakistan-New Zealand match.
What Went Wrong For India?
India bowled first and managed to keep the defending champions to 151 for 8. The batting side went tumbling and ended up at 142 for 9. Though Harmanpreet Kaur was the top scorer of the match with 54 runs but the skipper came under scrutiny for the decision that she took in the final over.
India needed 14 runs, and Harmanpreet was the batter at the crease. She had just crossed the half-century milestone and was expected to take her team towards a win. She took a single off the first ball, and Pooja Vastrakar came ahead of her came on crease.
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Pacer Annabel Sutherland then dismissed Vastrakar on the second ball. Third ball runout induced Arundhati Reddy and then Harmanpreet came to face the fourth over, but after taking a single chose not to face two, so Shreyanka Patil was at the crease with 12 runs needed off two balls, but Patil became a victim of run out after a wide delivery, and Radha Yadav was LBW on the very next one. At the crease, Renuka Singh just got a single off the last ball to ensure there’s a nine-run win for Australia.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Single In Last Over
Harmanpreet Kaur made a goof-up in India vs Australia match, only 3 balls were left and she took a single. The fans all around have been befuddled by the decision as to why did Harmanpreet decide to play cautiously in such a crucial situation, when explosive hitting was expected out of her.
If you are making only 1 run in 17th over while chasing 152 against Aus
— Harsh shekhawat (@wordofshekhawat) October 13, 2024
– Then Ms. Harmanpreet kaur you have to taken full blame of this loss
I know you are wearing number 7 but you aren’t Dhoni so stop trying to take game deep all the time 💔#INDvsAUS #HarmanpreetKaur pic.twitter.com/ZiE6rZuQeQ
People will say Harmanpreet Kaur fought hard but she is one of the reasons why we lost this game.
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) October 13, 2024
Played classical Babar Azam type test knock in T20s and put a lot of pressure on the team. In fact those three dot balls in 17 over changed the match completely. pic.twitter.com/WKOveFP1Go
Let's be honest, India can never win a T20s world cup with players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) October 13, 2024
There is a huge gap in the quality when you see Sena country players.We should stop investing in women's cricket if we can't produce any world class cricketer. pic.twitter.com/02khlisHLS
Not taking her responsibility and blaming others 🤡👎
— Kanhaiya Lal Saran (@SaranKL_) October 13, 2024
Harmanpreet Kaur you should step down from captaincy immediately.
"Aadha fan hi thik hu" pic.twitter.com/BN5NykS08Z
13 needed off 3, and Harmanpreet Kaur casually takes a single, leaving it to Shreyanka Patil, who hasn’t even faced a ball yet, to hit two consecutive sixes. Genius move or next-level faith? Either way, that’s some real trust in your teammate! 😅#HarmanpreetKaur#INDWvsAUSW
— Puru (@coachpuru) October 13, 2024
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“(On the difference between the two sides tonight) I think their entire team contribute, they don’t depend on one or two players, they have a lot of all-rounders who contribute. We also planned well and we were there in the game. They didn’t gave away easy runs and made it difficult. They are an experienced side. That is something that is not in your control, you have to always keep your playing eleven ready even when one or two player misses out,” said Harmanpreet Kaur after a shocking loss against Australia.
