It was a heartbreaking defeat for India in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia on Thursday as Harmanpreet Kaur was run-out on the final delivery of the match. A match that India had been winning for most of its duration eventually slipped away due to poor communication from Kaur and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, leaving them two runs short of their five-run target. India had played a determined game, taking regular wickets and setting up a thrilling finish. The team could only look back at what might have been if not for one unfortunate mix-up and watch Australia into another World Cup final on the other side. It is yet another reminder that indomitable desire backed with perseverance pays off even against the most difficult odds.
However, India’s fielding let them down throughout the match, with dropped catches and misfields costing them dearly. Australia’s skipper Meg Lanning managed to score 58 runs off 55 balls. But it was Elyse Villani (44 off 28) and Rachael Haynes (32 off 26) who batted aggressively towards the end, adding 59 runs for the fourth wicket in less than six overs, and taking their team to a challenged 172 for four. India put up a solid fight led by Harmanpreet Kaur (52 off 34) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24), but with losing out on chances at crucial moments, they were unable to beat Australia in the semi-final of the 2020 Women T20 World Cup.
On the brink of a long-awaited world title, India had every chance to turn it around, but as has been established in many matches before this one, India came up a bit short. With 39 runs needed off of the last 30 balls and five wickets in hand, all seemed to be in India’s favor, only for the result to prove otherwise. This isn’t the first time that India has ended up agonisingly close to global success. They have been defeated twice by five-time champions Australia in the World Cup final and CWG finals over the past few years. Nonetheless, perhaps with belief and hard work, India may soon become victorious in such cases and rid themselves of their medals drought.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, key batters for the Indian side, did not let the early departure of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana derail their chances. The skipper Kaur spearheaded the charge amidst a high fever while Rodrigues countered the spinners with command and authority. The manner in which they kept India in the hunt despite losing quick wickets was similar to a commanding boxer rally after getting knocked down by some big shots. This pair certainly delivered the much needed tonic to offset Washington Sundar’s stellar bowling performance, further muddying Australia’s victory march.
After a series of decent wins against New Zealand prior to the Australia game, India had their eyes set on a famous win. The hosts were very much in control as Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur began to build an ominous partnership between them. Jemimah was looking comfortable at the crease now and then and it seemed she found her feet well enough to score fours at gaps. Her batter partner Harmanpreet too began to show glimpses of her trademark stroke play that she often brings out during big games against Australia. But their good work was soon put on hold when Darcie Brown delivered a slow bouncer, which Emma attempted to guide with her bat – only to edge it to the wicketkeeper, ending their great stand.
Harmanpreet Kaur created history and stunned the world with her incredible fifty against England Women in mid-March. With the match locked at 80-all, she got to her fifty with back-to-back fours off Wareham in the 15th over. But just when it seemed like she was set to ensure an Indian victory, a freak run out brought another twist to the game. It was a comfortable double for Harmanpreet but as she made her way back for the second run, her bat got stuck in the ground and Alyssa Healy took no time in taking off the bails with Harmanpreet out of the crease. This moment proved to be crucial as it shifted momentum in England’s favor and eventually led them victorious. Richa Ghosh also fell after going for a big hit while Deepti Sharma (20 not out off 17 balls) couldn’t manage to produce enough runs towards the end of their batting innings either.
The Indian teams bowling effort was ineffectual during their match against Australia, as Beth Mooney extended her record of impressive performances against the Indians with a classy 54 off of just 37 balls. India were unable to keep hold of possession and control the run rate throughout the match, allowing experienced Australia players such as Meg Lanning (49 not out) and Ashleigh Gardner (31 off 18 balls) to blast their way through the innings with great skill. It was clear to see that the experience and quality of the Australian players was too much for India, giving them no chance at chasing down any form of big score.
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur bravely opted to play the knock-out game in Newlands, Australia a day after suffering from high fever. Despite the sunny conditions, Australia decided to bat first and India’s top pacer Renuka Thakur had a difficult time on the pitch. Her first ball of the match was half volleyed away by Aussie opener Alyssa Healy who finished with 25 from 26 balls. Usually it is Healy who is more aggressive in her partnering with teammate Mooney but this time it was Mooney who got the boundaries regularly on their 52-run stand against spinners. With her nimble footwork, she manoeuvred India’s field beautifully.
India’s game against Australia had it all. Run chases, dropped catches and some lusty hitting by the Aussie captain Lanning –– India could only look in dismay as their chances of progressing to the final took a huge blow. Shafali Verma had her opportunities too, but couldn’t grab on to them as she dropped an easy regulation catch off Mooney when she was on 32. Deepti Sharma, India’s most consistent spinner solidified her reputation by producing good control in the opening spell despite bowling two short deliveries which were dispatched for sixes and boundaries. Her errors were soon compounded with sloppy fielding further down the order, importantly when Lanning was let off on 17. The Australian skipper went on take the game away from India with a masterful unbeaten 49 off 34 balls including two sixes and a four in Renuka’s over, who ended up going wicketless off her four overs conceding 41 runs overall. As scores stand after that game, it looks highly unlikely that India will make it to the final of this tournament.
Sneh Rana was brought into the attack to replace Pooja Vastrakar and although she did not end up picking any wicket, she proved difficult for Australia’s batters to score off of thanks to her flighty bowling. To make matters worse, Richa Ghosh couldn’t take full advantage of a pair of chances presented by Rana in her first over – dropping a catch and squandering a stumping opportunity. As a result, 59 productive runs were gleaned in the last five overs for the Australians. Fortunately, India were still able to close out their innings with aplomb and it is yet to be seen if Rana’s enterprising bowling proves valuable towards the game’s conclusion.
