India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 52 runs off 32 balls and Jemimah Rodrigues' 43 runs off 24 balls went in vain as the Women in Blue lost the crunch semi-final game against defending champions Australia at Newlands, Cape Town. Meg Lanning-led Australia continued their dominance as they continued their unbeaten run to enter their seventh consecutive T20 World Cup final.
"It is very difficult to control myself. I don't know. Right now, I am sitting in a hangover," a teary-eyed India captain Harmanpreet said during the media interaction.
"I don't understand how it is going on. But after this, when we go to the room, we will know how many more days it will take. But I think we played good cricket. That's all I can say," she added.
Chasing a daunting target of 173 runs, India sustained a horrendous start with openers Shafali Verma (nine runs off six balls) and Smriti Mandhana (two runs off five balls) failing to perform under pressure. Yastika Bhatia, who came out to bat at No.3, could only add four runs off seven balls to the Indian score before walking back to the pavilion.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and star batter Jemimah Rodrigues then combined for a majestical partnership of 69 runs to bring India back into the contest. But Harmanpreet's bizarre run-out opened the doors for Australia, who used their experience to clinch a thrilling victory.
"Definitely, it was a disappointment because the way I was batting, maybe that was the only chance to know how I can get out. If my bat didn't get stuck and I would've easily finished that run. If I had stayed till the last moment, we could have definitely finished the match one over earlier as we had the momentum," Harmanpreet continued.
"The moment I got out, the moment the momentum shifted from India to Australia, I personally felt it was a turning point. It is disappointing because we shouldn't have lost like this. Because in the end, after coming so close, we could have batted with more responsibility and with a positive approach," the skipper said.
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