India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur lamented a stunning lower-order collapse as world champions Australia chased down a record 331 to secure a three-wicket victory in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
At 294 for 4 with more than seven overs remaining, India appeared set to surpass 350, but they lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs in seven overs. Annabel Sutherland tore through the Indian lower order, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul (5/40 in 9.5 overs).
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“The way we started, we could have added more 30-40 runs. We missed runs in the last six overs and that cost us,” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation.
“It was a good batting wicket, but not batting well in the last six overs
cost us.”
Earlier, openers Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) put together 155 for the first wicket, setting the tone for India.
“Openers have been outstanding, because of them we have been scoring 300 runs.
“The last five overs cost us. Last three games we were not able to bat in the middle overs. Our lower order took responsibility,” Harmanpreet said.
“Today the first 40 overs were good. It is important how we come back, these things happen,” she added.
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India’s five-bowler strategy to strengthen their batting once again backfired as they failed to make any impact, with the Aussies dominating.
Harmanpreet mentioned they would “sit and discuss” the strategy as they faced two consecutive defeats, first against South Africa on Thursday when they failed to defend 251.
“We’ll sit and discuss. This combination has given us success. Two bad games are not going to make a difference,” said Harmanpreet, who was forced to bowl as the sixth bowler to make up for the lack of a bowler.
Only Shree Charani (3/41) shone with the ball while the rest proved expensive.
“She has been outstanding. Today also she bowled well to their batters. Even when Healy was batting, she was not giving anything easily. We have a lot of hope from her to give breakthroughs,” Harmanpreet said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
