"I think their entire team contributes, they don't depend on 1 or 2 players" - Harmanpreet on India's narrow loss to Australia in Women's T20 WC

India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur highlighted Australia's ability to contribute as a unit and yield results after a hard-fought contest in Sharjah on Sunday, October 13. The Women in Blue fell short by nine runs as the Aussies progressed to the semi-finals with a perfect record.

Harmanpreet scored a valiant fifty (54* off 47) during the high-pressure run chase but lacked support from the other end as the required run rate proved too steep.

India had executed their initial plans to perfection by reducing Australia to 17-2, but the defending champions recovered to post a commanding 151-run total in the end. India were hurt by their top-order batters being dismissed in quick succession and the prowess of the Australian bowlers.

"I think their entire team contributes, they don't depend on one or two players, they have a lot of all-rounders who contribute. We also planned well and we were there in the game. They didn't give away easy runs and made it difficult. They are an experienced side," Harmanpreet Kaur said during the post-match presentation.

With this loss, India finished their group stage campaign on four points. Their qualification hopes are now pinned on the upcoming clash between New Zealand and Pakistan, which wraps up the proceedings in Group A.

"It was a chasable total" - Harmanpreet Kaur on the daunting target

India had folded out for 102 runs when New Zealand handed them a 161-run target in their opening match. This time, the Women in Blue put on a much more convincing effort with the bat, pushing the Australians to their limit, before ultimately falling agonizingly short.

"It was a chaseable total. When me and Deepti were batting, we couldn't hit a few loose balls. We can learn a lot from Australia. Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that but that's something not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great," Harmanpreet Kaur added in the same interaction.

India were in the contest when they needed 42 runs off 26 deliveries. Deepti Sharma's dismissal proved the turning point while Megan Schutt conceded only a single run off the next over to help Australia regain the momentum.