Harmanpreet Kaur has 'no regrets' about not playing Mithali Raj in the semi-finals
Antigua, Nov 23 (IBNS): Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said she has 'no regrets' for the decision taken to leave veteran cricketer Mithali Raj on the bench for the semi-final clash of the World T20 against England on Friday.
The absence of Raj in the playing eleven had raised many eyebrows as England women team beat the Asians by eight wickets in the semi-finals.
Speaking at the post-match ceremony, Kaur said: "Whatever we decided, we decided for the team. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, no regrets. I'm proud of the way my girls played through the tournament. This is a learning for us because we are a young team."
Kaur said his young T20 team need to work more on the mental strength.
"Sometimes you have to change your game according to the wicket. England bowled really well, read the wicket really well. It was not an easy total to chase, and our bowlers bowled really well. We stretched the match till the 18th over. I think we are a young team and we still need to work on our mental strength. If we can work on how to play under pressure, that will change how we play these games," she said.
Disappointing Indian fans across the nation and ending their hopes of winning a trophy, Indian women team were defeated by England in the semi-final of the World T20 here on Friday.
This was their first defeat in the tournament.
India did not play Mithali Raj in the game.
Batting first, India posted 112 runs for the loss of all wickets and England came down with a purpose and scored 116 runs by losing just two wickets with 17 balls to spare.
The entire batting lineup collapsed drastically with just
Smriti Mandhana contributing 34 runs with her willow.
In her quick-fire innings, she hit five boundaries and a six.
Apart from Smriti, Jemimah Rodrigues added 26 runs with her willow.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also failed with her willow and made just 16 runs in the crucial semi-finals clash.
English spinner Heather Knight picked up three wickets to demolish the Indian batting.
England had the worst possible beginning to their innings as they lost the wickets of Wyatt (8) and Tammy Beaumont (1) in quick succession.
With England struggling at 2-24, fans expected India to create a miracle at that stage of the match.
However, Amy Jones (53) and Natalie Sciver (52*) prevented any further damage and played sensibly to help England reach the target easily at the end.
England will now face Australia in the final of the showpiece tournament.
Image: www.facebook.com/CircleofCricket.HarmanpreetKaur
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