Just when India looked well on course of victory, a weird incident happened on the ground which again put the Women in Blue on backfoot in an important Women's World Cup semifinal clash against Australia on Thursday (February 23). Harmanpreet, who made it to the India's final XI just in time after suffering from fever right ahead of the match, fell prey of a bizarre dismissal after playing a superb knock of 52 off 34.
While chasing Australia's daunting 172/4, Harmanpreet looked settled on the crease but right after crossing the 50-run mark she was sent to pavilion after she was found short of her ground as he was run out for 52. The India skipper was understandably devastated by the manner of the dismissal, and hauled herself from the field of play with her team still requiring a big finish.
In the 15th over, Harmanpreet chipped a slog-sweep towards the mid-wicket region in a bid to take a comfortable double. Runing back to complete the run, Harmanpreet's bat got stuck and her feet were seen in the air when Australia's wicketkeeper Healy removed the bails.
Here's the video…
India went on to lose the match by five runs and yet again perished on the bigger stage.
Earier, when India were teetering at 28/3, Harmanpreet paired up with Jemimah Rodrigues and stitched counter-attacking 69-run partnership. However, once both batters departed, it was all over for India from there. Harmanpreet and Jemimah belted a flurry of boundaries to bring India back and send Australia into panic mode, but Jemimah’s dismissal – out caught attempting a ramp shot – gave the opposition breathing space. Harmanpreet too cut loose, taking just 32 deliveries to get to her half-century, but an odd run-out – her first in 5 years – which saw her bat get stuck into the ground brought an end to her fine knock.
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