Harmanpreet Kaur was barely keeping herself together as India lost to Australia by just 5 runs in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in Cape Town on February 23. She received a much-needed hug from former India captain Anjum Chopra.
India’s chase was on the path despite losing the top three wickets in Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Yastika Bhatia for single-digit scores. Kaur made 52 and Jemimah Rodrigues made 43 and at one time the duo looked like taking India past the 173-run target with ease until Jemimah got out and Harmanpreet was run out in the unluckiest way possible. This left India just 5 runs short in the end.
Earlier Australia had posted 172/4 in 20 overs with Beth Mooney (54), Meg Lanning (49*), and Ashleigh Gardner (31 in 18 balls) being the main scorers.
Harmanpreet Kaur wore sunglasses to the post-match presentation as she didn’t want the country to see her crying as she was struggling to control her emotions.
She got a lot of support from her teammates and even former India cricketer Anjum Chopra consoled her and gave her a warm hug with encouraging words as well.
T20 World Cup 2023: ‘Don’t want my country to see me crying’- Harmanpreet on wearing sunglasses
"My intention was to give the captain some empathy because that's all I can offer from the outside. It was an emotional moment for both of us. India have reached the semi-finals a lot of times and they have lost. This is not the first time I've seen Harmanpreet bat like this. I have seen her battling her injuries and health Today she might not have even played but because this was a World Cup semi-final and because she was Harmanpreet Kaur," Anjum said in a video shared by ICC.
"She is not the one who takes a backward step; she will go forward and a backward step, she will go forward and she did that. Today, before the match started, she was able to bring herself to a situation where she can play. She ran around in the field for 20 overs and then while batting, she rekindled India's hopes. Of course, Jemimah Rodrigues also played her part. I can understand what Harmanpreet Kaur must be going through. It was a player-to-player moment with her. I was just trying to lessen her sorrow," she added.
Here is the video:
