Unbeaten throughout the tournament, India were outplayed in all departments of the game by defending champions Australia in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, at the MCG on Sunday.
A brutal Australian side outclassed Harmanpreet Kaur’s team by 85 runs to clinch their fifth world title in the shortest format.
Understandably, the Indians were drowned in disappointment after the match.
Senior India player Smriti Mandhana called for the team to be left alone. “This is the time to introspect. Failure teaches you a lot more than success. The team needs to be left alone and think of how we can be better in the next few years,” Mandhana said after the match.
Batting first after the coin landed in Meg Lanning’s favour, Australia came out in scintillating fashion with their openers Alyssa Healy (75 off 39 balls) and Beth Mooney (78 off 54 balls) laying the foundation with a 115-run partnership in quick time. Stirred up by the grand occasion, their onslaught fired Australia to a formidable 184 for four in the stipulated 20 overs.
Overwhelmed by the occasion, India crumbled to 99 all out in 19.1 overs.
The match was as good as over when India were 18/3 in the fourth over, which became 30/4 when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur departed and 58/5 when Veda Krishnamurthy was taking the long walk back.
It turned out to be a bad day in office for young Shafali Verma. The 16-year-old dropped Healy in the first over of the match when the Australian opener was on nine. With the bat, Shafali lasted just three balls scoring 2 before being caught behind.
Captain Harmanpreet however backed the youngster. “She (Verma) is only 16, she’s playing her first World Cup. She did really, really well and performed for us. For a 16-year-old kid, it’s difficult to keep thinking positively and stay in the game,” said Kaur.
“It’s a learning opportunity for her but it could happen to anyone. We just can’t blame her.”
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad also wasted a caught-and-bowled chance of Mooney early in the Australian innings.
“We gave chances to batters in great form and it’s difficult for bowlers to come back when that happens,” Kaur said.
Kaur denied that her side were overwhelmed by the occasion as they were playing in their maiden final in front of a record 86,174 spectators — the most in a women’s cricket match.
“We weren’t under pressure, but unfortunately we were unable to create chances. It’s a lesson for all of us, we have to be at our 100 per cent when we’re fielding because that’s the most important part of cricket.”
There were plenty of new faces in the team since India’s 2017 ODI World Cup final defeat to England. On that occasion, just nine runs separated India from the title.
Praise from greats
Indian men’s team captain Virat Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar praised the women’s team’s performance.
“Proud of all the efforts put in by the Indian Women’s Cricket Team throughout their #T20WorldCup campaign. I’m confident that you girls will bounce back stronger than ever. Raising hands BCCIWomen,” Kohli tweeted.
Tendulkar asked the team to not lose hope. “Congratulations to Australia for winning the T20WorldCup. It was a tough day for #TeamIndia. Our team is young and will grow into a solid unit. You have inspired many across the globe. We are proud of you. Keep working hard and never lose hope. It will happen one day,” the icon tweeted.
