India’s head coach, Amol Muzumdar, expressed disappointment after their semi-final hopes were dashed by a nine-run loss to Australia. However, he praised his team’s effort and urged them to learn from the experience.
India’s fielding was subpar, conceding “10-15 more” runs than necessary. They dropped three catches, missed a stumping, and a run-out opportunity. A crucial lbw call against Phoebe Litchfield also went in Australia’s favor.
Muzumdar acknowledged the importance of the Litchfield decision, saying it was “a crucial one.” He also revealed that India’s strategy during their chase was to keep the net run rate in check and take the game deeper.
Despite the loss, Muzumdar emphasized that India’s preparation had been thorough. They had two dedicated camps, one for fitness and fielding and another for skill development. He also praised captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her resilience, despite battling physical discomfort.
Muzumdar expressed confidence in his team and their ability to bounce back. He said, “I couldn’t have asked for more from my support staff and I couldn’t have asked for more from the players. They gave their best in those camps. Preparation about this World Cup was thorough.”
India’s build-up to the game had been smooth, with Pooja Vastrakar returning to the XI after recovering from a hamstring niggle. Muzumdar explained that Vastrakar’s inclusion was a no-brainer, given her impressive record as one of the team’s best bowlers.
