‘We stand with you’ – BCCI secretary Jay Shah after India’s semi-final defeat in Women’s T20 World Cup

India were knocked out of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, after failing to get past Australia in the first semi-final. The Women in Blue suffered a heart-breaking defeat in the high-voltage match, held at the Newlands Cricket Ground on Thursday, February 22. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah lauded Harmanpreet and Co. for their performance in the semi-final clash. He said that the nation could not be prouder for their display on the field.

Jay Shah, on Thursday, took to Twitter and wrote, "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

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

09:48 PM · Feb 23, 2023

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Kaur and India, both fell short of the line by inches

Earlier in the semi-final played on Thursday, India fell short of the target by 5 runs, after a steady partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur fell apart after a series of unfortunate dismissals.

Australia won the toss and posted 172/4 in 20 overs after electing to bat first. Top knocks from the Aussie opener Beth Mooney and skipper Meg Lanning helped their side put up a decent score. Mooney slammed 54 runs off 37 balls, including seven fours and a six. Lanning, on the other hand, fired an unbeaten knock of 49 runs off 34 balls, studded with four fours and two sixes. Shikha Pandey took two wickets for India, while Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav claimed one each.

Chasing a target of 173 runs, India batted aggressively despite losing three quick wickets, all within the power play. India started off on a bad note as opener Shafali Verma (9) and Smriti Mandhana (2) were dismissed early on in the innings. However, India kept their hopes alive as Jemimah Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur kept the scoreboard moving with a stylish brand of cricket, making it sure not to lose wickets while keeping the race down. Harmanpreet's unfortunate run-out, following a mistimed upper-cut from Rodrigues, cost India’s dream to reach the final as they could only manage 167/8 in 20 overs.

While India women’s wait for a world cup title continues, with the win, Australia enters its seventh successive final. The Lanning-led side will face either England or South Africa in the summit clash at Newlands on Sunday, February 26.

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