Sports

CWG 2022 | Rubbish batting, no common sense: Mohammed Azharuddin slams India after cricket finals defeat

August 8, 2022
Bharat Times

Mohammed Azharuddin criticised Harmanpreet Kaur-led India women’s cricket team for throwing away the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games. India lost the final to Australia by 9 runs.

Jess Jonassen took 2 wickets in the final over to bundle out India. (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Azharuddin said that India gave away the gold medal match on a platter
  • Azharuddin criticised India’s batting in the final against Australia
  • India lost the CWG final match to Australia by nine runs on August 7

Former India cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin slammed the national women’s cricket team for losing the Commonwealth Games gold medal match to Australia.

India went down against the reigning world T20 champions Australia by nine runs in the final on Sunday. Harmanpreet Kaur-led side lost five wickets for just 31 runs while chasing 162 runs.

“Rubbish batting by the Indian team. No common sense. Gave away a winning game on a platter,” Azharuddin tweeted.

The match was well in the hands of India, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues hammering the Australian bowlers after losing the openers cheaply in quick succession. Both Harmanpreet and Jemimah stitched a 96-run partnership for the third wicket. However, Australia pulled back things as Megan Schutt castled Jemimah for 33.

After getting the much-needed breakthrough, Ash Gardner tightened the screws by dismissing Pooja Vastrakar (1) and Harmanpreet Kaur (65 off 43) on successive balls. Towards the end, when India, who were eight down, needed 11 runs off the final over, Jess Jonassen made no mistake and took two wickets to complete Australia’s treble.

Meanwhile, former India men’s coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri sympathised with the women’s team, saying: “Well done. Great courage in a final. @ImHarmanpreet, @imrameshpowar great job. Something big coming soon. Hang in @BCCIWomen #INDvsAUS #CWG2022.”

Harbhajan Singh wrote: “So close yet so far us well done @ImHarmanpreet and team for getting silver hmmm well congratulations to @CricketAus women’s for Gold medal at commonwealth games .. #CommonwealthGames2022.”

Dinesh Karthik, who was watching the match with men’s team in Florida, said: “Y’all kept us glued to the screen! Very well played throughout the tournament and extremely proud of you #TeamIndia.”

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