Former India captain Anjum Chopra reckons opener Smriti Mandhana’s struggles in opposition to Australian off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner damage the group in an enormous manner within the semi-final of the Girls’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, February 23.

India Girls went right down to Australia Girls by 5 runs within the knockout conflict performed at Newlands in Cape City. Set to chase 173, the Girls in Blue misplaced each their openers, Mandhana (two) and Shafali Verma (9), cheaply. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (52) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24) lifted the group, however India fell brief in the long run.

Whereas India Girls’s vice-captain Mandhana went into the semi-final conflict on the again of two consecutive fifties, Gardner held the higher hand within the match-up in opposition to the left-hander. Sharing her ideas on Mandhana’s struggles in opposition to Gardner, Chopra stated on her YouTube channel:

“Ashleigh Gardner has dismissed Smriti Mandhana 4 occasions in T20Is – the fourth occasion being the semi-final. In the event you succumb to a bowler so usually, then how can the group have hopes from you?”

WOMEN’S T20 CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023Semi Last 1 | 🇦🇺 Australia vs 🇮🇳 IndiaWICKETSmriti Mandhana (2 runs scored)lbw b GardnerFALL OF WICKETIND 15 – 22.2 oversOriginal Name: Not OutCall modified to ‘Out’, following the ReviewImage Credit: Sky Sports activities https://t.co/6JAR6PgTXy

Mandhana was trapped proper in entrance of the stumps as she stayed on the backfoot to an arm ball from Gardner.

Analyzing Shafali’s wicket, she added that the teen’s dismissal hinted in direction of a scarcity of homework from the Indian group. The 45-year-old elaborated:

“Shafali Verma additionally fell resulting from a misjudgment. It was umpire’s name on lbw, however she ought to have recognized that Megan Schutt would have bowled two balls exterior, however would deliver the third one in. Schutt has troubled Shafali previously as nicely, however I couldn’t see any homework on the bottom.”

Chopra believes that 173 was a gettable goal had Shafali and Mandhana obtained India off to a strong begin. She commented:

“173 was a goal India may have chased as a result of they’ve chased down 180 in opposition to Australia previously. Every time Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana give India an excellent begin, the group performs in a distinct method. However India didn’t get that desired begin.”

After the openers perished cheaply, Yastika Bhatia was additionally run-out for 4. A fourth-wicket stand of 69 between Harmanpreet and Rodrigues then lifted India’s hopes.

“India’s fielding was actually poor” – Anjum Chopra

India Girls dropped a few key catches within the semi-final, giving lives to Beth Mooney and Meg Lanning. Describing India’s fielding within the knockout match as poor, Chopra commented:

“If India had held on to their probabilities… two catches went down. There are lots of weaknesses within the Indian group with regard to their fielding. Batting and bowling is essential, however fielding is extra essential than that.

“India’s fielding was actually poor and people who adopted the match would pay attention to how India allowed Australia to achieve the rating that they finally obtained.”

Mooney went on to top-score for Australia with 54 off 37 balls, whereas Lanning was unbeaten on 49* off 34.