Twitter Reactions: Harmanpreet Kaur overdependence costs India yet again, Australia seal semis berth

Another must-win game, another defeat for team India. To qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing women’s T20 World Cup, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side needed a win over Australia at Sharjah Cricket Ground but ultimately, they suffered a nine-run defeat and are now on the verge of elimination from the group stage. Mathematically, they are still alive as the game between New Zealand and Pakistan will seal their fate.

Bowling first, India picked up two early wickets of Beth Mooney and Georgia Wareham but Grace Harris and stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath stitched a crucial 62-run partnership to help Australia make a comeback into the contest. After that, senior all-rounder Ellyse Perry made 32 runs off 23 balls and Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland played quick cameos of 15 runs and 10 balls to help Australia post 151 runs on the board.

Shafali Verma gave a good start to India with the bat but once again, she failed to capitalize on that. Star batter Smriti Mandhana failed in a must-win game, which has become a template now and the onus once again lied on Harmanpreet. The 35-year-old was the lone wolf as she had been in any major tournament but failed to take the team home. However, this time, she remained unbeaten. 

Harmanpreet made 54* runs off 47 deliveries and could have gotten the job done had she received enough support from the other end. Deepti Sharma looked good for a long time as she scored 29 runs off 25 balls but got out when the team needed her the most. At least, she showed some intent, which few others lacked. 

Also, there have been a lot of discussions on Richa Ghosh’s potential and she has shown her class in multiple games but when it comes to the big games, the keeper-batter has failed. She is still young and has plenty of time but that is one area that the 21-year-old needs to address. 

Australia meanwhile remain unbeaten and qualify for the semi-finals. India for now will stay in UAE and wait for the Pakistan versus New Zealand game, which will take place on October 14 in Dubai.

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