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Women World Cup 2025: Indian women’s cricket team’s star batsman Smriti Mandhana has taken responsibility for the four-run defeat in the thrilling match against England. In this match played at Holkar Stadium, Indore on Sunday, India had got the target of 289 runs. Chasing this challenging score, Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur put the team in a good position by making a strong partnership of 125 runs for the third wicket.

Only 55 runs needed in 52 balls

However, when Mandhana was playing on 88 runs, she was out while trying to hit a ground shot off the ball of left arm spinner Linsey Smith. As soon as he was out, the balance of the Indian innings got disturbed and the rest of the batsmen came under pressure and quickly returned to the pavilion. India needed only 55 runs in the last 52 balls, but the team remained a few runs short of the target.

Mandhana said in the press conference, “Yes, this defeat definitely came because of our shot selection. It started with me. I believe that my thinking and decision could have been better at that time. We needed only one run on every ball, so we should not have taken more risks than necessary. I take responsibility for this defeat.”

What did Madhana say next?

He further said that the team will now leave this defeat behind and focus on the next match. India has to face New Zealand on 23 October and this match is being considered like a ‘quarter final’ in terms of semi-finals. Mandhana said, “Nothing comes easily in cricket. We know that this journey is difficult, but our eyes are on the next victory. We will learn from this defeat and move forward.”

After this third consecutive defeat, India remains at fourth position in the points table and to remain in the race for the semi-finals, it will have to win both its upcoming matches. At the same time, with this victory, England has become the third team after Australia and South Africa to reach the semi-finals.