"Pretty much the story in every World Cup" - Fans slam India after their defeat against Australia in ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up game
India succumbed to a 44-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the first warm-up game of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 at Newlands in Cape Town on Monday, February 6.
Chasing 130 for victory, the Women in Blue were bowled out for a mere 85 runs in 15 overs. Only three batters managed to reach double figures. Deepti Sharma was the highest run-scorer for the side, chipping in with an unbeaten 19 off 22 balls. The second-highest was the extras (18) conceded by the Australian bowlers.
This was India's second defeat on the trot after losing the tri-series final against South Africa a couple of days back.
Fans on social media were not pleased with India's performance and summed up that the same story comes back before every World Cup. A few also reckoned that the Women in Blue have no chance of winning the title.
Here are some of the reactions:
What a joke! #T20WorldCup https://t.co/GDjQJltVY1
Literally, our entire squad barring Harman, is out of form. What a beautiful sight just before the world cup ☺️
Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 warm-up: Indian batters disappoint as Australia wins by 44 runs https://t.co/sTtkUw7JFB
#t20worldcupAb sirf is bat ka dar hai kahi pak. Se na har jaye🫠bardast kar nhi payega😒#t20worldcup
@StanCric Seems absolutely zero chance for the Indian Women's team... Feeling like this team doesn't really fit into the modern era of Women T20 Cricket... Will be happy if they prove me wrong in the upcoming World Cup
@Crictopher17 I don't want to name them but 4-5 players in the current squad are just overrated. Hope, we'll get to see new talent in Indian Team after WPL...
@Crictopher17 Pretty much the story every world cup. This was the case in 2022 WC as well. If India returns with another disappointment, the buck must stop at some players including Jemi, Smrit and Shafali too
@Crictopher17 Just saw the scorecard. That's really concerning.
@Crictopher17 Why are we so focused on our team? It's Australia's cup. All we can hope is we reach the finals. Chill!
Australia beat India by 43 runs in a #T20WorldCup warm-up match and now the teams are practicing a Super Over. Fun times!
#cricket
From 61/9 to 85 is also a miracle 🫴
Is it just me or the India-Australia scorecard is going in reverse? #T20WorldCup2023
I just left office to see India has succumbed to Darcie Brown yet again? #T20WorldCup
Why are people getting so riled up with their team's performance in the warm-ups?
Have y'all not learned enough about how they don't matter?🤔
Darcie Brown's four-wicket haul derails India in the first warm-up game
Deciding to bat first after winning the toss, the Aussies had the worst start possible. Shikha Pandey was spectacular with the new ball as the Women in Blue reduced their opponents to 10/3 in four overs.
Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner then steadied the ship with a 44-run stand for the fourth wicket but once Pooja Vastrakar broke the partnership, Australia lost a few wickets on the trot. Georgia Wareham (32* off 17) and Jess Jonassen (22* off 14) provided a late resurgence to take the total to 129/8.
In response, India never looked in line to chase down the target. Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana failed to open their accounts as the Women in Blue were reduced to 22/4 in 3.3 overs.
Deepti (19* off 22) was the lone warrior with the bat, while Darcie Brown and Gardner ran down the Indian batting order with four and two wickets, respectively.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. will lock horns with Bangladesh in their second and final warm-up game on Wednesday, February 8.
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