Despite the girls failing to make the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup, I’m happy with the way we played. In hindsight, it was our game if it wasn’t for the no-ball in the last over.
We had managed to get the batter who was playing on 50. I would have loved to see more replays of that no-ball. It was not clear and I didn’t see the foot touching the ground.
A few overs here and there were expensive and while batting too, I felt we were 25 runs short. At the 40th over, we were well placed to cross 300. We managed to get only one run in the 41st over.
Missing Jhulan (Goswami) did make a difference as it was a big game. But I think it’s definitely time to look to the future. There are juniors waiting in the wings and it’s time we play them.
I think it should be the end of the glorious careers of two Indian cricketers – Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. Jhulan had already expressed that this will be her last World Cup.
Give the juniors a long run and have more India A and India under-19 women’s tours and series. It will build your bench strength. It’s time Shafali (Verma) and others are groomed.
The BCCI want to spend more on the women’s game. Bring more foreign players so that we have more competition. The BCCI will have to play a big marketing role in lifting the women’s game.