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India suffered a heartbreaking defeat to England in the ICC Women’s World Cup final at the Lord’s. Following the defeat, Indian dressing room had become an unhappy house, revealed Smriti Mandhana after reaching home.
India restricted England for 228 but fell short of nine runs during the dramatic final where India lost six wickets for 28 runs. As wickets fell, the spirit in the Indian camp also fell and by the end, there was a look of extreme grief, shock, and disappointment on the faces of each of the players.
Mandhana spoke about the quietness in the dressing room following the loss to England and how the reception they got at the Airport when they returned made them feel better. Also read: India in Sri Lanka: Cheteshwar Pujara Slams 12th Test Hundred
“We were pretty sad after the final but after seeing the reception in India, we felt like we had done something special. It was a quiet dressing room. We had come so close and were very sad that we could not do it for Mithali and Jhulan. That haunted us more than anything else,” Mandhana said at the press conference.
Mandhana, who played his maiden World Cup, feels the experience of nerve wrenching World Cup final, the girls will only improve.
“Out of the 15 players in the squad, 13 were playing the final for the first time and hopefully this experience with help and we will not make the same mistakes again,” Mandhana expressed. Also read: India in Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli’s Struggle For Form in Tests Continue
Mandhana had a great start to the World Cup with 90 runs against England in the opener and she followed that up with a 106 not out against West Indies but post those two knocks, Mandhana’s form dropped and could not put anything substantial on the board.
“It was a good start for me in the World Cup but then it turned into a quiet one. I know the mistakes I did and will work on not making the same mistakes again,” Mandhana told.
Meanwhile, the opener talked about Harmanpreet Kaur’s experience of playing in the Big Bash League in Australia.
“The Women’s Big Bash League was a good experience for me and Harmanpreet (Kaur). We discovered much more individuality there and got to know other bowlers better, so it was a very good experience. If women’s IPL is organised in India, it will be very beneficial for Indian players,” Mandhana said.
Mandhana also said that the dressing room was full of nerves during the final and reiterated that this team will only get better from here.
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