New Delhi: Indian women lost a close game in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as Australia has marched into yet another final. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues put up a show with their bat and while they were batting, the pressure was on the Aussies. The cricket fraternity, including former Indian cricketers, reacted to the game, sympathised with the players and lauded the efforts.
BCCI secretary, who was also present at the stadium, called the players ‘true warriors’ and wrote that he is proud of them.
A tough loss for @BCCIWomen against Australia in the #ICCWomensT20WorldCup, but we couldn’t be prouder of our girls for their spirit on the field. The team gave it their all & showed that they are true warriors. We stand with you, Women in Blue! #INDWvsAUSW
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) February 23, 2023
Former Indian captain Anjum Chopra, who was in the commentary box, came to hug Harmanpreet Kaur and shared a ‘player-to-player’ moment with her. Meanwhile, recently retired Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami also called the loss a ‘hard pill to swallow’.
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A valiant effort Girls. A hard pill to swallow especially after getting so close. Proud of the effort @ImHarmanpreet @BCCIWomen #INDWvsAUSW #T20WorldCup
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) February 23, 2023
Virender Sehwag shared his grief about Harmanpreet’s unfortunate runout, which reminded everyone of MS Dhoni’s runout in the 2019 World Cup semis.
Match winner at the crease and Run out in a semi-final. We have had this heartbreak before. Sad to see India out. Were running away with the game but Australia proved again why they are a v difficult side to beat. Well tried girls #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/wNsVc3vb2D
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 23, 2023
Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan also stood by the women in blue.
It was so close yet so far. Amazing effort by the girls in blue! #IndVsAus ?? pic.twitter.com/E1nQLPEz7l
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) February 23, 2023
Akash Chopra shared a tweet calling it “heartbreaking” and was also seen giving befitting replies to the trolls spreading hate after the match.
That’s heartbreaking ? #AusvInd #T20WorldCup
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 23, 2023
90% of people hurling abuses at the Indian women’s team for the loss to Australia didn’t even know that there was a World Cup happening in SA. Till today. Don’t know names of half the players. Harmanpreet Kaur was a doubtful starter for the finals with fever for the last two days
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 23, 2023
In the game, Australia managed a massive total of 172 after Beth Mooney scored a fifty and Meg Lanning gave a finish with her 49* off 34. Ashleigh Gardner was the one that changed the momentum with a cameo of 31 off 18. India’s dropped catches, missed stumping and misfields eventually cost them the game.
India lost the top order quickly but Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues played with intent, bringing up boundaries and rotating the strike. Jemimah scored 43 off just 24 balls and her inning featured a total of only two dot balls. Harmanpreet continued in the same fashion before she was run out at 52(34). Australia stole the lost game with excellent bowling by Darcie Brown and fielding efforts by Ellyse Perry.
