India's senior women's cricket team led by Harmanpreet Kaur crashed in the Women's T20 World Cup semifinal as they succumbed to the defending champions Australia by five runs in the all-important clash on Thursday (February 23). India once again faltered at the big stage as their quest for the maiden ICC trophy is still on despite coming close to the title several times.
There were many reasons which cost India the all-important semifinal match against Australia. But one thing which trumped all was their poor fielding which was decorated with dropped catches of Australia's key players who went on to score big and helped the team post a daunting total of 172/4 while India failed to chase.
Meanwhile, former India women's cricket team's skipper Diana Edulji slammed Harmanpreet's brigade for their sloppy fielding and have no doubts in saying that India's Under-19 players fielded way better in their triumphant campaign at T20 World Cup than their senior stars. She also feels that most the senior players will struggle if the ‘yo yo’ test becomes mandatory in women's cricket.
The 67-year-old was taken aback after seeing India's poor fielding display in the semifinal clash in Cape Town which denied them the final ticket.
She also went on to say that skipper Harmanpreet was casual while running the second run before the bat got stuck in the ground and led to a game-changing run out.
Edulji wants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to appoint permanent support staff in the women's team rather getting personnel from the NCA on an ad-hoc basis as another Women's T20 World Cup beckons in September next year.
"I found the U-19 team much fitter than the seniors. They didn't choke in the final. From 2017 to 2023 it is the same old story (for the senior team). The BCCI must have proper assessment of players' fitness. I know yo yo test is a bit tough for women. Out of 15 , 12 will fail that test but you have a different criteria for them for acceptable fitness standards. Right now there is no accountability on that front," she told PTI a day after India's five run loss in the semifinals," Edulji said.
"You are definitely looking at an overhaul (in terms of planning and preparation after the World Cup loss). They need to improve fitness first of all, their fielding, their catching running between the wickets. Unless you have strength in the legs, you won't be able to run. They need absolute danda (BCCI needs to crack the whip) to reach the top. You are getting everything from the BCCI including equal play. Every time you lose a winning game, it is a habit. BCCI has to take a strong call and not give in to the demands of the players. Have a proper strategy for the future. We have had enough of this star culture. It is not going to work like this," Edulji added.
‘Harman was casual while taking the second run’
Harmanpreet who steading India's boat after early jolts with a brilliant 52 off 34, got run out in a bizarre fashion at the crucial juncture of the match and Edulji feels the India skipper could have done better.
"She is thinking the bat got stuck but if you see the second run she was jogging. Why are you running in a relaxed manner when you know when your wicket is so important? You have to play professional cricket to win. Look at the dive Perry made to save those two runs. That is what professionalism is.
"They don't give up till the end and we are not ready to fight at all. You can't be falling at the last hurdle all the time.
"She was casual on the second run. She thought she would comfortably reach. We were told in the 1970s by Mr. Sunil Gavaskar that every ball you have to learn to ground your bat then only you get into that habit," she said.
Edulji, who was part of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee which ran the BCCI for 33 months, also slammed Jemimah Rodrigues for her reckless shot after scoring a brilliant 43 off 24.
"And what was the need for Jemimah for play that shot? You just got a four before, read the game a little more considering the game situation.
"Smriti and Harman too have been inconsistent that is why India have not won a major tournament. The talent is there but they have to be given rigourous training. We have enough firepower in the batting department," Edulji concluded.
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