Indore: Moments after India suffered a heartbreaking four-run defeat in opposition to England — whilst they cruising to a simple win at one level — star opener Smriti Mandhana didn't shrink back from placing her hand up and taking a number of the blame for India messing up the chase in an important match of the 2025 Ladies's ODI World Cup on the Holkar Stadium on Sunday.Positioned at 234 for 3 within the forty second over, the event hosts gave the impression to be cruising to victory with Mandhana, who scored 88 off 94 balls, on the crease in pursuit of England's complete of 288 for eight. That they had seven wickets in hand and wanted simply six runs per over when the dashing left-hander holed out to Alice Capsey off Linsey Smith within the deep — marking the beginning of a whole shift in momentum that noticed India handle solely 50 runs within the final 52 balls whereas shedding three wickets.
Staging an impressive comeback, England certified for the semifinals, whereas India — whose World Cup marketing campaign is quickly falling aside — now have to win each their remaining matches, in opposition to New Zealand on October 23 and Bangladesh on October 26 on the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, to remain in rivalry.There was nonetheless hope heading into the ultimate over with 14 runs required and Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana on the crease, however Smith conceded simply 9.“I imply, it collapsed — everybody noticed that. I believe everybody's shot alternatives at the moment might have been higher. It began from me, so I'll take it on me that the shot choice ought to have been higher. We simply wanted six (runs) per over and perhaps we must always have taken the sport deeper,” a despondent Mandhana stated after the match.India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who stroked 70 and shared a 125-run partnership in 122 balls for the third wicket with Mandhana, additionally felt that the Indian vice-captain's dismissal was the turning level within the chase.“I believe Smriti's wicket was a turning level for us, and I nonetheless assume we had too many batters. I don't know the way issues went the opposite manner, however credit score goes to England — they saved bowling effectively and getting wickets there,” stated Harmanpreet on the post-match presentation.Discovering it tough to swallow the sensation of faltering within the remaining stretch of a match they'd of their grip for more often than not, Harmanpreet stated, “It's unhealthy as a result of you've put in a lot arduous work and saved ticking the bins until the tip, however the final 5-6 overs didn't go based on plan. That's the worst, however undoubtedly, it's a really heartbreaking second.”“We're enjoying good cricket; we're not giving up. However that final line we have now to cross now as a result of it's been the final three video games the place we confirmed up with good cricket,” she added.Questions have additionally been directed at India's staff composition for the essential match in opposition to England, with India leaving out Jemimah Rodrigues to accommodate pacer Renuka Singh Thakur. It meant India went into the sport one batter brief. Remaining agency on her determination, Harmanpreet stated, “This stuff will hold going as a result of I believe issues have been below management when Smriti and I have been batting. And I believe Smriti's wicket was the turning level for us. However nonetheless, we had Richa, Amanjot, and Deepti, who've gained video games for us up to now. However sadly, in the present day we weren't in a position to make it.”
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Who do you assume was the essential think about India's loss in opposition to England?
It's obvious that India are overly depending on explosive wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who was out for a 10-ball eight, for the massive hits whereas ending the innings. Nonetheless, Mandhana defended the decrease order, which bailed India out within the first two matches of the competitors in opposition to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. “I imply, after all, Richa has been good for us, however I wouldn't say it's solely depending on her. We simply wanted 6.5 per over — it's not like we wanted 9. The ending half was lots to ask, however we've seen Aman (Amanjot Kaur) try this within the WPL (Ladies's Premier League), and Sneh (Rana) has been good in the previous couple of overs with the bat for us within the first three-four matches. We'll all take it on ourselves that we might have completed higher within the final six overs,” she stated.Regardless of India struggling three losses in a row — all in opposition to SENA nations — Mandhana backed her facet to bounce again of their subsequent conflict within the event in opposition to the White Ferns on Thursday. “In cricket, nothing comes straightforward. For certain, the subsequent match will probably be a digital quarterfinal by way of moving into the highest 4, and also you don't play cricket to have straightforward days. We'll all take this in our stride. Everyone knows the place we might have completed higher and the place we went fallacious. In case you're enjoying a sport, you're meant to have good days and unhealthy days. It's about how you are taking these unhealthy days and transfer on,” she stated.
