MELBOURNE: Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Sunday backed beleaguered 16-year-old Shafali Verma after her dropped catch of Alyssa Healy cost India dear in the Women’s T20 World Cup final against Australia here on Sunday.
Shafali dropped Healy in the first over when the Australian opener was on nine. Healy went on to smash a 39-ball 75 and, along with Beth Mooney (78 not out off 54), added 115 runs for the opening wicket to power Australia to 184 for four.
In reply, India were bowled out for 99 to hand the hosts a 85-run win and an unprecedented fifth world title in the shortest format.
“She (Verma) is only 16, she’s playing her first World Cup. She did really, really well and performed for us. For a 16-year-old kid, it’s difficult to keep thinking positively and stay in the game,” said Kaur.
“It’s a learning lesson for her but it could happen to anyone. We can’t blame her because there were others also in her position.”
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad also wasted a caught and bowled chance of Mooney early in the Australian innings, and Kaur rued the two dropped catches. (AGENCIES)
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