In the wake of India’s heartbreaking four-run loss to England at the Women’s ODI World Cup, former skipper Anjum Chopra has pinpointed a crucial shot selection by all-rounder Deepti Sharma as a turning point. This defeat extends India’s losing streak to three matches in the ongoing tournament.
The chase against England saw a promising foundation laid by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who forged a vital partnership. However, the momentum shifted dramatically after Mandhana’s dismissal, triggering a batting collapse under mounting pressure. Deepti Sharma, who had been steadily rebuilding the innings, played a shot that drew significant criticism from Chopra. Sharma attempted a lofted stroke against England’s Sophie Ecclestone, aiming for the boundary on the larger side of the ground, a move Chopra found ill-advised. “Look at Smriti’s innings, from 5 to 50, and then 50 to 85; she was in complete control. That hard work deserved a big, match-winning hundred,” Chopra commented on the missed opportunity.
Chopra elaborated on Sharma’s dismissal, stating, “Why play an aerial shot on the biggest boundary against Sophie Ecclestone when it’s not needed? You already have a boundary in the over and Amanjot at the other end. It was unnecessary.” She suggested that the pressure of the situation might have led to an “extra effort players put on themselves.” Nevertheless, Chopra recognized Sharma’s overall progress and her efforts in stabilizing the innings post-Harmanpreet’s departure, commending her strike rotation and risk management. The former captain also identified fielding as a key area needing improvement, noting that potential savings in runs could have significantly impacted the match’s result.