Why No Mithali: Manjrekar, Harsha React to India’s World T20 Loss

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to India’s World T20 semi-final loss to England in Antigua on Friday.

India crashed out of the ICC women's World T20 after going down to England by 8 wickets in the second semi-final at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at North Sound on Friday.

In what turned out as a golden opportunity to avenge their ICC 50-over World Cup final loss to England, India were handicapped by a lower order batting collapse that saw them being bundled out for a meagre 112 after opting to bat.

In Saturday's summit clash, Number 2 ranked England will face traditional rivals World Number 1 Australia, who outclassed defending champions and hosts West Indies by 71 runs in the other semi-final of the day.

The Indian team management made a baffling decision at the start of the game to leave out the experienced Mithali Raj in place of allrounder Anuja Patil.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to India’s World T20 loss.

India paid the price for two mistakes. One in planning, by dropping Mithali on this pitch. The other in execution, by rushing down the pitch to muscle the ball in front of the pitch on a very slow pitch.#ICCWWT20

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 23, 2018

Can understand, if you have to, that you leave out Mithali in a 180 game. But on a tough pitch? Then you play your best players and she is that. https://t.co/n3bbSodiC6

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 23, 2018

England played their ‘A’ game today and batted and bowled really well. Losing 8 wickets for 23 runs did us in. Best wishes to the England team for the @worldt20 finals. #WWT20 #WT20 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/cPKZxwqqCy

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) November 23, 2018

Sad end to a well fought tournament. Well played girls. Today might not have been our day. Unfortunately didn’t get enough runs. Missed @M_Raj03 in the team. Why wasn’t she playing?#INDvENG #ICCWWT20

— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) November 23, 2018

The journey for the #WomenInBlue comes to an end :( so many questions, the top of them being why no @M_Raj03 ? The case of so close yet so far. Anyway, let’s look to learn from this and move forward. Chin up girls :) #IndvsEng #WorldT20 #semifinals

— Bhavna Balakrishnan (@Bhavna__B) November 23, 2018

Poor Show !!! shown by the indian women cricket team in the most important semi final of the world cup T20 2018. One dimensional & not playing the Fit Mithali Raj back fired.

— GARRY AGGARWAL (@GAUAGG1) November 23, 2018

Heartbreak..!! Played well throughout the tournament and one off day.. Has cost the place in the finals...!! @WorldT20 pic.twitter.com/UBO486bq53

— Anuj Sharma (@Anujsh15) November 23, 2018

What led to the thinking that you need to drop the best player of the side to retain the winning combination in a very important semifinals? If @M_Raj03 is fit, she should make it to the squad. No matter what's the format. #iccwwt20 @BCCIWomen

— Bapi Banerjee (@banerjee_bapi) November 23, 2018

(With inputs from IANS)