“Having 100 matches experience = 0 experience” – Punam Raut slams big 4 ft. Harmanpreet Kaur after India lose to Australia in Women’s T20 World Cup
Punam Raut took a dig at four senior players, including skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, following India’s loss to Australia by nine runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Sharjah on Sunday, October 13. The 35-year-old believes the senior players could’ve done better after playing over 100 T20Is for the Women in Blue.
Notably, the Women in Blue failed to chase down 152 in their last group-stage game in the ICC event. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues departed early, scoring 6 (12) and 16 (12), respectively. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma hit 54* (47) and 29 (25), respectively. The duo, however, failed to take the team over the line.
Kaur, in particular, took two singles off as many deliveries in the last over when India needed 14 runs off Annabel Sutherland in the last over.
Punam Raut wrote on X:
“Having 100 matches experience = 0 experience.. if it’s can’t be applied in big games.”
Raut has represented India in four Tests, 73 ODIs, and 35 T20Is, scoring 3282 runs across formats, including four hundreds and 15 half-centuries. The part-time off-spinner has also bagged four wickets. She played her last game for India in 2021.
“They have definitely the experience” – Harmanpreet Kaur on loss to defending champions Australia
Harmanpreet Kaur said that Australia proved themselves to be a better side once again following their experience of winning T20 World Cups. The 35-year-old added that India were no match for the Australians on the fielding front. She said in her post-match comments (via ESPNcricinfo):
“I think the difference between them is that they didn't give us easy runs. I think they have definitely the experience. They have played so many World Cups together. I think that is something that always shows them that they are a great side.”
Kaur said that the teams that deserve to be in the semifinals will make a way as India’s place is in jeopardy in the top four. She said:
“Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that. But that is something which is not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there."
India, New Zealand, and Pakistan are in a three-horse race for a place in knockout matches.