Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the women’s team for their valiant effort against Australia in their T20 World Cup 2024 match in Sharjah on Sunday. Despite a heartbreaking loss, Manjrekar praised the team’s determination and Harmanpreet’s leadership.
The Indian women’s team fell short by 14 runs in their pursuit of Australia’s 150-run target, with Harmanpreet scoring an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Manjrekar believes that no other team could have come as close to the target on a challenging pitch.
“No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Aus set on a difficult pitch. I say, well done India! And again what a star Harman is!” Manjrekar tweeted.
However, fans expressed frustration with Manjrekar’s comments, calling them an “excuse” for the team’s failure to win. They argued that the team should be held accountable for their performance, regardless of the pitch conditions.
Manjrekar defended his stance, stating that Harmanpreet’s unbeaten knock showcased her caliber. “Harmanpreet Kaur showed in the end why she is so great. She almost won the match. The pitch was very tricky, the score was almost like chasing 250, and they reached so close. It’s a matter of great pride for me,” he said on Star Sports.
He also praised the team’s overall performance, highlighting their ability to score runs without Smriti Mandhana’s contribution and their effective bowling.
“The Indian team touched new heights today. This was a very important match… the batters kept scoring without Mandhana’s contribution, and the bowling was good,” he added.
Manjrekar believes that the team’s performance against Australia is a testament to their progress and potential. “They set an excellent score on the tough pitch in Sharjah. They set 150 where the average score is around 115. India almost won this match. So they reached close to Mount Everest, they reached the third or fourth base,” he explained.
Despite the loss, Manjrekar remains optimistic about the team’s future. He believes that they have the talent and determination to achieve success in the future.
