‘Men or Women, it’s always the same’- Fans heartbroken as Indian women suffer first defeat at 20-20 World Cup 2023

India’s two-game winning streak in the ongoing Women’s 20-20 World Cup 2023 has come to a staggering halt. England Women defeated India Women by 11 runs at St George’s Oval. Renuka Singh’s bowling performance went in vain, as the batters could not chase down a competitive target in the fixture.

After being put to bat first at Gqeberha in the third round of the group stage fixture, England scored 151 for the loss of seven wickets. England Women had lost three wickets in the powerplay without a substantial number of runs on the scoreboard.

However, Natalie Sciver Brunt and Heather Knight stitched a 51-run partnership to take the team to the calm waters. Amy Jones and Natalie Sciver Brunt provided further impetus to England’s innings to put up a competitive total. Natalie Sciver Brunt scored a half-century while batting first. Renuka Singh was the most effective bowler for India as she picked her first fifer in the T20I. She dismissed five batters in her quota of four overs while conceding just 15 runs.

Chasing a par total at Gqerbha, the opening pair stitched 29 runs in the first three overs to give a push to the chase. However, the innings fell apart as Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur fell in a quick span. Though Smriti Mandana and Richa Ghosh tried to bring the scoreboard on track, they fell short. Smriti Mandana scored a spectacular 52 with seven fours and a six.

On the other hand, Richa Ghosh tried to take the team over the line at the fag end of the innings by scoring 47 of 34 deliveries. Sarah Glenn was the successful English bowler in the fixture as she picked two wickets in her four overs. However, India Women fell short by 11 runs.

The win has made England Women’s pathway to the semifinals easier, whereas the Indian Women’s team will have to win the next game against Ireland Women to qualify for the next round of the campaign. India will play Ireland on 20th February at St George’s Oval. England Women will lock their horns with Pakistan Women on 21st February at Newlands Cricket Ground.

Here’s a look at how fans reacted to India’s first loss: