India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur felt that middle-order’s lack of capitalisation on the foundation set by the top-order was the primary reason behind their three-wicket loss to Australia in the Women’s World Cup 2025. Notably, India lost their last six wickets for only 36 runs and were bowled out for 330 in 48.5 overs.
Harmanpreet admitted that the pitch was far better than the one used for the clash against South Africa at the same venue. While India had set a daunting total on the board, Harmanpreet felt that the team left out good 30-40 runs.
“The way we started, we thought if we could have added more 30-40 runs on the board, we missed runs in the last six-seven overs. We kept losing wickets and that really cost us because today’s pitch was totally different. We knew it was a good batting wicket, but those last six overs where we were not able to capitalise really cost us,” stated Harmanpreet, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
She concluded by once again talking about the last 10 overs of the batting innings, emphasising that it will be important how India come back in the near future.
“Today, the first 40 overs were really good and in the last 10, we were not executing well. In matches, these things are going to happen, we are not going to be 100% all the time but it’s very important how you come back,” she added.
Notably, India were defeated with an over to spare as Alyssa Healy secured the Player of the Match award for a record 142 off 107, including 21 fours and three sixes. Annabel Sutherland came back well during the first innings to register figures of 5/40 in 9.5 overs.
For the hosts, Smriti Mandhana (80 off 66) and Pratika Rawal (75 off 96) were main run-scorers, while with the ball, Shree Charani impressed with a three-wicket haul (3/41 in 10 overs) and Deepti Sharma picked up two.
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