A prominent voice in Indian cricket, former captain Anjum Chopra, has weighed in on India’s narrow defeat to England in the Women’s ODI World Cup, specifically critiquing all-rounder Deepti Sharma’s decisive shot. This loss compounds India’s struggles, marking their third consecutive defeat in the competition.
India’s chase initially looked strong, built on the resilience of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. However, the dismissal of Mandhana triggered a cascade of wickets, leaving the team vulnerable. Deepti Sharma, attempting to guide India home, attempted a high-risk shot towards the boundary against England’s key spinner Sophie Ecclestone. This stroke, according to Chopra, was ‘unnecessary’ given the match situation. “It was virtually a run-a-ball equation. You have to understand how much hard work goes into getting your team into such a position,” Chopra stated, underscoring the importance of composure. She questioned Sharma’s choice, asking, “Why play an aerial shot on the biggest boundary against Sophie Ecclestone when it’s not needed?” Chopra suggested that players sometimes overexert themselves under pressure.
Despite this critical assessment of the shot selection, Chopra was quick to acknowledge Deepti Sharma’s considerable growth as a cricketer. She praised Sharma’s contributions over the last year, noting her improved batting, bowling, and tactical understanding. “Deepti, in particular, has impressed over the last 12 months. Not only with her batting and bowling, but also her growing understanding of the game,” Chopra remarked. She also pointed out that fielding lapses, potentially costing India 20-30 runs, played a significant role in the close encounter, emphasizing that better defensive play in the field could have swung the game in India’s favor.