India missed out on sealing a spot in the semis of the ICC Women's World Cup 2022, losing to South Africa. However, skipper Mithali Raj feels that the girls gave their best.
It was another heartbreak for India as it failed to qualify for the semis in the 2022 ICC Women's World Cup. On Saturday, India lost its final league stage game to South Africa by three wickets in a last-ball thriller at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. However, skipper Mithali Raj is convinced by the efforts put in by her girls.
Batting first, India posted a convincing total of 274/7, thanks to 50-plus scores from Smriti Mandhana (71), Shafali Verma (53) and Mithali (68). However, South Africa chased it down in the final ball, thanks to Laura Wolvaardt (80) and Mignon du Preez (52*), while a penultimate no-ball from spinner Dipti Sharma crashed India's chances.
After the loss, Mithali stated, "I think the girls have given it all knowing the importance of today's game. It was a good game from both sides, good for the sport, but ended our campaign. But, I'm very proud of our comeback into the tournament after a few losses. Our bowlers have been outstanding apart from a couple of games. I felt the score was a good total, coming from the fact that we have defended similar scores in the past."
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"Jhulan's experience would have added a lot, but it was a good opportunity for the other bowlers. Everything does come to an end, it will take some time to settle the emotions, but that's what sport is. Thanks to everybody who's turned out for every game of India. It was great to have all of you cheering for the girls. I hope you continue to support women's cricket, the Indian Women's team in the coming years," concluded Mithali.
Later, during the post-match press conference, Mithali was questioned about her future. While she had hinted at retirement before, she felt that it was not the right time to take a call just after India's painful exit from the tournament. She made her World Cup 22 years ago and has featured in six competition editions.
"When you have a disappointment, and in the campaign which ends like this in a World Cup where you've prepared very hard over a year, it takes time to accept and then probably move on from there. Whatever the future holds for every player, I've not thought about my future," Mithali commented.
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"I am not in... It would not be appropriate for me to comment on my future, considering that the sort of game we just played and emotions are still there. It needs to settle down before I could sort of have clarity on that and give an answer to that," concluded Mithali.