Mithali’s omission sparks row, experts flay decision
MUMBAI: While India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur defended her decision to omit seasoned opener Mithali Raj for the semi-final against England in the Women’s World T20, experts have questioned the decision to drop the team’s most experienced player.
Harmanpreet said it was a decision taken keeping the team’s interests in mind. “Whatever we decided, we decided for the team. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, no regrets. I’m proud of the way my girls played through the tournament,” Harmanpreet was quoted as saying at the postmatch presentation ceremony.
Former India star VVS Laxman however said the team management will regret the decision. He said it defied logic as Mithali’s fine technique would have been ideal to handle conditions in Antigua that were challenging for batting. “I was surprised because, having played top-level cricket for 19 years, the amount of experience Mithali has, especially in a high-pressure match, you expect a player of her calibre to play keeping in mind the form she was in before she got injured.
“Also her technique, she is skilful, and keeping in mind that the wicket (aiding spin) would test the technique of the players. The explanation from the coach and captain is that they wanted to go with a winning combination but you cannot leave someone of Mithali’s calibre,” Laxman said.
Former skipper Shanta Rangaswamy was shocked. “Given that we have a fragile batting and are dependent on a couple of players, it came as a big surprise. It’s sad they have gambled by not playing Mithali. It is not easy to digest they dropped India’s highest run-getter. I would have played Mithali with one leg.”
The axing has led to talk of fissures in the team. It is being argued the team couldn’t have taken such a call without the backing of BCCI bigwigs. Rangaswamy called it “intriguing”but rejected the theory. “I don’t think they (team management) would have been spoken to from here. If they have, it doesn’t augur well.
There were two-three selectors (in West
Indies), don’t think they would have been ignored.”
Former
India batsman
Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted: “It’s not a pitch where you can hit through the line and fetch boundaries. Mithali Raj would have been ideal on this pitch. Wrong move by India to drop Mithali. But India still good enough to beat ENG.” India pacer, Jhulan Goswami, said: “125 would have been a winning total. That said, when you are defending a small total, you have to take the chances that come your way.” She was referring to Poonam Yadav dropping Natalie Sciver (52* ) on two. “It’d be unfair to only talk about that (Mithali) and forget this team was unbeaten in the group and it was the first defeat in 12-13 T20s.”
(With inputs from Dhiman Sarkar)
Whatever we decided, we decided for the team. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, no regrets. I’m proud of the way my girls played through the tournament. HARMANPREET KAUR, India skipper on Mithali’s exclusion