On Wednesday (February 23), India suffered a heart-wrenching five-run defeat versus Australia within the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, held in Cape Town.
Chasing 173 for victory, India misplaced three wickets within the first 4 overs. But, the staff captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues’ partnership of 69 runs for the fourth wicket stored India’s hopes alive. However, Harmanpreet’s weird run-out proved to be a turning level within the match.
During the fourth supply of the fifteenth over, Harmanpreet performed a slog sweep to deep mid-wicket towards Georgia Wareham. She accomplished a single however her bat received caught within the center whereas coming again for the second run. Aussie wicketkeeper outAlyssa Healy was fast to take away the bails, and Harmanpreet had to stroll again to the dug after a well-made 52 off 34 balls. Her dismissal was termed “schoolgirl error” by former England captain Nasser Hussain, who was commentating at that second.
Despite the frustration of the defeat, India confirmed glimpses of promise of their efficiency. The partnership between Harmanpreet and Rodrigues gave India a preventing likelihood, after their bowlers restricted Australia to 172, which was a par rating for the circumstances. While it was a bitter capsule to swallow for the Indian staff, they will take coronary heart from their efficiency and are available again stronger sooner or later.
In the aftermath of the match, Harmanpreet was quizzed about her run-out.
“How will you take the pressure when someone like Nasser Hussain on live commentary calls it a schoolgirl error or a club cricket error? How do you defend something like that?” the reporter requested.
The Indian skipper appeared stunned after realizing that Nasser made such a remark. She stored her calm and gave a becoming reply.
“He [Nasser] said that? (Raises her eyebrows). Post-match? Okay. I don’t know, that’s his way of thinking but sometimes it happens. I have seen many times in cricket when batters are taking a single like that and the bat gets stuck there.
“Obviously, I will take it as, we were unlucky today. Some things we still have to improve to go to the finals. Definitely, we didn’t field well, we didn’t bowl well in patches and we didn’t bat well. You have to do well in all the departments, then only you have the chance to go to the finals.
“I think it was unlucky but I don’t think it was a mistake by a school girl. We are mature enough, we are playing international cricket and whatever he said, that’s his way of thinking. I don’t think it was like that,” she added.