It was not 100 per cent conditions to play cricket, says Harmanpreet after big loss to England

Harmanpreet Kaur. Pic/PTI

India women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur said following the side's nine-wicket loss to England in the opening T20 International here that the damp and wet conditions made it extremely difficult for the visitors to play their natural game. Riding on an unbeaten half-century from Sophia Dunkley (61 off 41 balls), England chased down India's meagre target of 132/7 for the loss of just one wicket -- Danni Wyatt (24) --in just 13 overs to complete the mauling of the visitors.

"I just feel today we forcefully played because it was not 100 per cent conditions for cricket to play. Still I am happy the way girls put the effort because when there are chances to get injured but they are ready to play," Harmanpreet was quoted as saying post-match by ESPNcricinfo.

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While middle-order batter Deepti Sharma gave some respectability to the total with her unbeaten 29 off 24 coming in at No. 7, it wasn't much of a problem for the hosts, familiar as they are with the ground conditions.

But for the Indian team it was tough coming to grips with the conditions. With the outfield slow and slippery, it hampered the India batters' strokeplay. "I think in the end we were not able to get that many runs we were expecting," added Harmanpreet. "That's what you need to have team-mates in the team (for) who can score in whatever conditions and I am happy the way we put our efforts."

Only Smriti Mandhana (23), Harmanpreet (20) and Deepti Sharma (29 not out) managed to score 20 or more. "I know it was not 100 per cent conditions to play cricket and still we were putting efforts. I know the ground was too wet and there were so many chances to get injured and one of our players got injured also. She (Radha Yadav) was our main bowler and that's why we were lacking."

With Radha injured, Harmanpreet and Shafali Verma bowled one over each, with the duo giving away a combined 28 runs. "We were one bowler short and the way we were trying to put efforts (meant a lot). I am really happy girls were coming forward to give 100 per cent," added Harmanpreet.

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