Harmanpreet Kaur avoids blaming India’s strategy for the loss against Australia
Harmanpreet Kaur criticized the lower order for failing to build on the solid start during India’s Women’s World Cup defeat to Australia.
Harmanpreet Defends Team Combination
It was the first time any team had crossed the 300-run mark against the dominant Australian side. India looked set for an even bigger total, reaching 294 for four in 42.5 overs. After a century opening stand, the middle order made decent contributions, but the tail failed to carry the momentum. The team collapsed, losing six wickets for just 36 runs, getting bowled out in 48.5 overs as Annabel Sutherland tore through the lower order to claim her maiden five-wicket haul.
“The way we started, we should have added 30-40 more runs,” Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation. “We missed out in the last six overs, and that made the difference. It was a good batting pitch, but our poor finish in the final overs really hurt us.”
“Our openers have been outstanding, they’re the reason we’ve been putting up 300-plus scores,” Harmanpreet said. “But the last five overs really cost us. In the previous three games, we struggled in the middle overs, though the lower order had taken responsibility then. Today, the first 40 overs went well; now it’s about how we bounce back, these things happen in cricket.”
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India’s Five-Bowler Plan Under Fire
India’s five-bowler strategy, designed to boost their batting depth, drew criticism once again after it failed to deliver. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur stood by the team’s approach.
“We’ll sit and talk it through. This combination has worked for us before, two bad games won’t change that,” Harmanpreet said, after stepping in herself to fill the sixth-bowler’s role.
India will now head to Indore to take on England on Sunday.