NEW DELHI: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur termed her team’s narrow four-run loss to England as “heartbreaking”, admitting they once again failed to finish the job despite being in control for most of the contest in the Women’s World Cup group game on Sunday.
England edge India by 4 runs to reach Women’s World Cup semifinals
With Smriti Mandhana cruising on 88 and India needing just 56 off 54 balls with seven wickets in hand, the hosts looked set for victory. But England fought back superbly to register their fourth consecutive win and confirm a semifinal spot alongside Australia and South Africa.
“Smriti’s wicket was the turning point for us. It’s a heartbreaking moment,” said Harmanpreet at the post-match presentation.
While Mandhana and Harmanpreet were together, India seemed in command, but once the partnership broke, the innings lost momentum.
Earlier, Heather Knight’s 109 had anchored England’s total of 288/8 before India finished just short at 284/6. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith sparked India’s collapse by removing Mandhana against the run of play.
Deepti Sharma’s composed half-century kept India in the hunt after Mandhana’s dismissal, but Sophie Ecclestone’s crucial strike in the closing overs ended India’s hopes.
“It’s a bad feeling when you have put so much hard work in but the last 5–6 overs didn’t go according to plan,” Harmanpreet admitted. “We still had batters, but I don’t know how things went the other way. Credit to England. They didn’t lose hope, they kept bowling and getting wickets.”
The defeat — India’s third in succession after losses to South Africa and Australia — leaves the co-hosts facing a near-impossible task to qualify for the semifinals.
In each of the three defeats, India held strong positions before faltering at the finish. Against Australia, they couldn’t defend 330, while South Africa chased down 251 with their tail wagging.
“We are playing good cricket, we are not giving up, but have to cross the line. It’s been the last three games where we showed up with good cricket, but ended up on the losing side,” said Harmanpreet. “Our bowlers did a really good job, because when Heather was batting they were looking very good. (We) did a lot right, but last five overs, we have to rethink.”
India now face New Zealand in a must-win encounter in Navi Mumbai on Thursday before their final group match against Bangladesh on October 26, needing victories in both along with favourable results elsewhere.
“Next game is very important,” Harmanpreet stressed.
Felt we needed 300: Knight
Player-of-the-Match Heather Knight said England were slightly short of their intended total but credited her side’s calmness under pressure.
“Felt we needed 300, frustrated with how I got out, and 300 caps, a big occasion. A tiny bit slow at the start, but more boundary options, I was free to play reverse-sweeps,” said Knight. “Pleased with a match-defining innings. There was a gap so any nudge on it was away to the boundary square of the wicket.”
Linsey Smith, who dismissed Mandhana at a crucial stage, called it a special night.
“Heart-rate’s recovered, hamstrings in pieces. The fight we showed was amazing. I knew I had one over left, and I’d gone alright. Role is clear, lot of powerplay, a lot of death.
“Trying not to overcomplicate too much. Bowl a tight line into their heels and block off the off-side. Try to keep it simple and not rewrite the books. (I) back myself to do it out here. Out on the boundary, I was trying to take it all in. Learn as much as I can and put the big performances in for the team,” she added.
(With PTI Inputs)
