'Next World Cup will be ours': India, Harmanpreet earn praise on Twitter after Australia survive nailbiter

Australia reached their seventh successive Women’s T20 World Cup final when a thrilling Indian run chase fell agonisingly short at Newlands on Thursday. Australia won by five runs when India finished on 167 for eight in reply to Australia’s 172 for four.

Australia will face either England or South Africa in Sunday’s final.

India batted with aggressive intent from the first ball and for much of the innings were ahead of Australia’s total at the equivalent stage despite losing three wickets in the six-over power play.

The match turned dramatically when India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was run out with just 40 runs needed off 32 balls.

Kaur batted superbly to make 52 off 34 balls. She hit a ball to deep midwicket and seemed set to complete a comfortable two runs only for her bat to jab into the turf just short of the crease. Kaur threw her bat angrily as she walked off.

Big-hitting Richa Ghosh was caught on the boundary off Darcie Brown in the next over and India’s hopes were effectively over, although Deepti Sharma kept swinging until the end, making 20 not out.

Despite India’s heartbreaking defeat, Twitter was full of praise for the team and captain Harmanpreet as they gave a massive scare to the defending champions. Here are the best reactions:

Tough luck Team India. #HarmanpreetKaur & #JemimahRodrigues looked like taking the game away but the Aussies fought back brilliantly & in the end India have fallen short. Harmanpreet’s runout was the turning point & India will be disappointed to miss out on the finals. #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/RY06QHDrE0

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 23, 2023

Tense? That’s one word for it. Too many moments to mention but the majority came down to Australia finding calmness in the chaos. #AUSvIND #T20WorldCup https://t.co/5XI7X0NQ7o

— Mel Jones (@meljones_33) February 23, 2023

That’s heartbreaking