Fans Compare Harmanpreet Kaur Run-out To MS Dhoni’s Heartbreak As Team India Lose Another Semifinal

Harmanpreet Kaur was unluckily run-out for 52 in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 semifinal against Australia. The fans recalled a similar incident from the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal between India and New Zealand when MS Dhoni was short of his crease.

Source: Twitter

Team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s freak dismissal in the crucial moment add to a string of knockout losses that ended India’s hopes of winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 as they suffered a 5-run defeat against Australia in the semi-final on Thursday (February 23). Nerves of Aussies prevailed over top knocks from skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.

Harmanpreet was run out at a critical time in India’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semi-final against Australia. The India skipper, who made it out to the middle despite being sick, was playing superbly to achieve her half-century and put her team in contention to chase Australia’s 172/4. But a bizarre moment sent Kaur back to the dugout when her bat jammed in the wicket as she ran it in, leaving her short of her ground as Alyssa Healy whipped off the bails. She was run out for 52.

The fans recalled a similar incident from the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal between India and New Zealand. After losing a clutch of early wickets, India were sill in with slim hopes as long as former captain MS Dhoni was in the middle. However, Dhoni was run out after scoring a half-century thanks to a brilliant throw from Martin Guptill and with his exit ended India’s chances as well.

Ms Dhoni and harmanpreet Kaur!_#indiavsaustralia #indvsaus #indvaus #t20worldcup #worldcup #T20WomensWorldCup #T20WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/EErB3dZbwo — RVCJ Sports (@RVCJ_Sports) February 23, 2023

Speaking after the game, a visibly upset Harmanpreet spoke of her huge disappointment in failing to win a game that had seemed in India’s grasp. “Cannot be unluckier than this, to get that momentum back when me and Jemi were batting. And to lose after that, we did not expect this today. The way I got runout, cannot be unluckier than that. Putting in the effort was more important. We discussed about fighting till the last ball. The result did not go our way, but I am happy with the way we played in this tournament,” said Harmanpreet in a post-match presentation.

“We know we have a good batting lineup even if we lose early wickets. Need to give credit to Jemi for the way she batted today. She got us the momentum we were looking for. Happy to see such performances. Happy to see them play their natural game. Even though we did not play to our strengths, we reached the semis. We gave those easy catches away. Got to take those when you want to win. We misfielded. We can only learn from these lessons and not repeat the mistakes,” added the skipper.

India captain Harmanpreet has received support from other legends of the game after her freak run-out against Australia in the semi-finals of the ICC Women`s T20 World Cup. National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman took to Twitter to show support for India captain and said that Harmanpreet`s run-out was the turning point in the match.

“Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues looked like taking the game away, but the Aussies fought back brilliantly & in the end India have fallen short. Harmanpreet`s run-out was the turning point,” said VVS Laxman on Twitter.

Tough luck Team India. #HarmanpreetKaur & #JemimahRodrigues looked like taking the game away but the Aussies fought back brilliantly & in the end India have fallen short. Harmanpreet's runout was the turning point & India will be disappointed to miss out on the finals. #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/RY06QHDrE0 — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 23, 2023

And former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was not the only one to spot the parallels between the famous dismissal of another Indian captain in a huge match. “Match winner at the crease and Run out in a semi-final. We have had this heartbreak before. Sad to see India out. Were running away with the game but Australia proved again why they are a v difficult side to beat. Well tried girls #INDWvAUSW,” Virender Sehwag tweeted.

Match winner at the crease and Run out in a semi-final. We have had this heartbreak before. Sad to see India out. Were running away with the game but Australia proved again why they are a v difficult side to beat. Well tried girls #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/wNsVc3vb2D — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 23, 2023

A 69-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues (43) and Harmanpreet helped swing momentum in favour of India. Harmanpreet scored a fine fifty. However, Australia held their nerves to deny India a place in the final.

(with ANI inputs)