Captain of the Indian national women’s team, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed her admiration for the adaptability of the current champions Australia to various situations. On Sunday, India faced their second loss of the tournament in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which has raised their hopes of going into the semifinals into a very thin line.
Evidently, there were some players nursing injuries, Australia was the first to bat and managed to score 151/8 in its 20 overs. Grace Harris contributed 40 runs in the total, while stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry were helpful with their scores of 32 runs each. Chasing the target, India lost both openers cheaply and Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma were involved in a partnership that mitigated the early loss.
“They don’t have anything fixed. They can have a plan and play according to a pitch and situation. For that, they are not dependent upon one or two players but have a lot of allrounders and the entire unit works,” Harmanpreet explained the gap between the two teams.
The match ended with India managing to score 142 runs with 9 wickets in 20 overs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
In the same breath, Harmanpreet, who finished with an unbeaten fifty herself, however stated that her side too had come out to execute a plan but the Australians didn’t let them play freely.
“The difference I think, it’s not just them. It’s not that easy for us if we play against them. If I quite rightly think, they do have the experience, for sure. They have competed in so many World Cups, as a unit, for many years now. Like that always just brings to the fore, for me, why they are a very good team,” she opined.
This was the first game for India in the tournament at Sharjah while it was the third for Australia.
“I think we performed quite well (considering the circumstances). We were aware that this was a tough tournament. While Deepti and I were batting, that period we failed to take advantage of a few gentle deliveries. The edges could have been kept in check. I believe we were still in contention. But then again, as we understand their experience, they are familiar with how to clinch such games. We have to take lessons from them,’ Harmanpreet expressed.
Just like in the Australian camp, the Indian team too had to deal with an injury always; Ashana Sobhana pulling out of the competition at the last minute due to a knee injury she sustained in the warm-up.
“Now that (injury) is something which is beyond your control. You have to always make believe that your 13th or 14th play is actually for this tournament. Radha was there and she bowled quite well. She is aware that she is not going to play today’s match. She is in the game. She is building up very well. When we made it, she gave us a breakthrough. A player of that attitude is what a team requires. They are always around whenever you need them,’ Harmanpreet said.”
