Former India captain Anjum Chopra roasted opener Smriti Mandhana for her failures in the knock-out matches of the important tournaments. She constantly struggles against Australian off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner, which again hurt the Indian team in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday, February 23.
Australia women defeated the Women in Blue by 5 runs in the knockout clash played at Newlands in Cape Town. Chasing 173 to qualify for the tournament finale, India lost both their openers, Mandhana (2) and Shafali Verma (9). Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (52) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24) played good knocks, but the sub-continent team fell short.
“Ashleigh Gardner has dismissed Smriti Mandhana four times in T20Is If you are getting out to a bowler regularly, then how can the team have hopes from you?” Chopra said on her YouTube Channel.
Chopra said that Shafali’s wicket showed the lack of homework from the Indian team. “Shafali Verma also fell due to a misjudgment. It was the umpire’s call on lbw, but she should know that the third ball would come in as Megan Schutt has bowled two outside the off stump. Schutt has troubled her in the past, but she came without preparations,” she added.
Chopra believes that 173 was a gettable target had Shafali and Mandhana played well.