If there were any remote hopes of the Women in Blue walking away with a win over Aussies tonight, they were compromised by India’s avoidable sloppy fielding. In fact, it is doubtful if Australia could have managed a mammoth score of 172 had it not been India’s poor fielding displays in the semi-final clash. 

Most unfortunate is how India lost the match despite edging closer toward a hard-fought victory, if only the fielding was better. Of course, losing to defending champions by 5 runs in a semi-final is no mean feat. However, in the end, the gap was so agonisingly small, something that even a few runs saved in the field, or catches taken, could have changed.

Things could have panned out better for Kaur and Co. had they stepped in with the right bowling strategy. After all, the Aussies have not played a competitive match at Newlands in the World Cup, but India clearly failed to make the most of this opportunity.

Barring Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, there was not a single batter tonight who looked inclined, or fit enough, to be at their absolute best to beat the ball to the fence. 

Australia contributed immensely well on all fronts tonight. As for their batting, their bowlers did supremely well  to deny Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma any width and the results were immediate. Yastika Bhatia fell victim to the difference in fielding and things looked bleak with less than four overs bowled.