‘We fell short in every department’ – Anjum Chopra explains reason behind India’s loss in Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals

India suffered yet another heartbreak as they failed to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final after losing to the Meg Lanning-led side in the semi-finals of the event. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side lost to Australia by five runs at the Newlands on Thursday, February 23.

Speaking on JioCinema’s daily show ‘#AAKASHVANI,’ former cricketer Anjum Chopra explained the reasons behind the national side’s loss. She said that the team had fallen short in each and every department during the game.

The 45-year-old cricketer slammed India’s bowling strategy stating that she did not get the idea at all. She also mentioned Shafali Verma's underwhelming fielding effort and said the young player needs to get polished to perform well in such crucial games. 

"We fell short in every department. I think it was good that Australia was batting first – it gave India the chance to chase runs. But I didn't understand their bowling strategy because there was a slow wicket for which they kept protection on the boundary square of the wicket, they asked their spinners to bowl short and outside. But how will they take wickets if every bowler bowls in that manner?” Chopra questioned.

"Taking this as a bowling strategy, there was no support in terms of fielding - it has to be top-notch. They missed a lot of straight catches, and if we talk about Shafali Verma, she needs a lot of brushing up because young players are expected to field well in these crunch moments and to do it with exuberance,"  the former batter added.

“Our bowling did not give up many runs at first, though it is expected that you will conceive runs in the final overs, keeping the reason aside, at the end of the day you have to chase runs to win the game,” she concluded.

Australia skipper, Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bat first in the knock-out game. Top knocks from opener Beth Mooney (54) and Lanning (49) helped Australia to post 172 in the allotted overs. Chasing 173, India got off to a horrid start, with openers Shafali Verma (9) and Smriti Mandhana (2) failing to deliver a decent score. 

Despite early setbacks, the Women in Blue retained their hope as Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues provided momentum to their side. However, the skipper’s unfortunate dismissal allowed Lanning and Co. to make a late comeback. Australia will face either England or South Africa in the final on Sunday, February 26.

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