India men’s team opener Abhishek Sharma lauded the Women in Blue for their now iconic Women’s World Cup semifinal win against Australia at Navi Mumbai on Thursday. In the match Jemimah Rodrigues stayed unbeaten with 127 while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 89 as India pulled off the highest chase in Women’s ODI history when they overhauled Australia’s 339-run target in 48.3 overs.
“We were all following the match. Because the way the match was played, I don’t think India has ever won a match like this in women’s cricket, I think the maturity and teamwork that was shown as a team, I think we are really proud of them. We were just watching the match all together. Everyone was watching the match somewhere. And they were doing this, I mean, there were so many runs. As Jemimah, Harman and Smriti, they all played. And everyone played cameos in between. So, I think it didn’t feel like there was pressure on them,” Abhishek said after India went down to Australia in the 2nd T20I on Friday.
“But obviously, as a team, Indian team, if you see that the women’s team is doing so well, then you get motivated, of course. Finally, I think they deserve the trophy the way they played the semi-final game. I think they really deserve it. And they are going to do well,” he added.
The India men’s team could not follow up their women counterparts’ feat as they fell 0-1 behind against Australia in the 5-match T20I series. They still have three matches left with the next match set to take place at Hobart on Sunday. The 4th and the 5th T20Is will take place at Gold Coast and Brisbane next week.
As for the Indian women, they are on the cusp of history, set to take on South Africa in the World Cup final on Sunday with both teams gunning for their maiden ICC trophy.
