Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian Women’s cricket team for winning silver medal in ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022.
In the final Indian team was defeated by Australia at Edgbaston in a thrilling closely fought encounter.
In his congratulatory message for the team, PM Modi said the silver medal ‘will always be special’ as it is India’s first-ever medal in cricket at the Games.
“Cricket and India are inseparable. Our Women’s cricket team played excellent cricket through the CWG and they bring home the prestigious Silver medal. Being the first ever CWG medal in cricket, this one will always be special. Best wishes to all team members for a bright future,” tweeted PM Modi.
India lost last five wickets for 13 runs to finish second.
Beth Mooney (61 off 41) made a stroke-filled half-century as Australia managed to reach 161 for eight despite a spirited fielding effort from India.
With 50 needed off the last six overs with eight wickets in hand, and Harmanpreet (65 off 43) in the middle of a special innings, it should have been a straightforward chase for India.
However, India found a way to fluff it as they lost eight wickets for 32 runs to come short in a major final once again. India’s inexplicable batting collapse was also reminiscent of their failure in the 2017 ODI World Cup final in England.
Sharing a 96-run stand after the fall of openers, Harmanpreet and Jemimah Rodrigues (33 off 33) were controlling the chase but the latter’s dismissal triggered the collapse. The batters manufactured ways to get dismissed with innings including three run-outs. India were eventually bowled out for 152 with three balls left.