South African captain, Dane van Niekerk, somehow pulled herself together and her team, post-heart-wrenching defeat in the second semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and appeared in front of the media in the post-match conference, on Thursday.
There, she went on to state that the South African team would have preferred losing in the finals rather than getting a free pass to the finals.
Her comments sparked quite a flare within the Indian cricketing fraternity as India qualified for the finals, without even a ball being bowled in the knockout fixture.
“I have to give credit to the ground staff; they did absolutely everything to keep us in the park. And we are here to play cricket. I’d rather lose than get a free pass into the World Cup final,” Niekerk opined during the interaction.
England had to take the flight back to London as India held a superior position in the points table in the group stage.
Renowned commentator and analyst Harsha Bhogle, in his recent tweet, gave a befitting reply to the statements of the South African skipper.
“Except that it isn’t your choice whether to play or get a free pass! And it isn’t really a free pass but a qualification for playing well in the group stage,” Bhogle suggested.
Here’s the post:
Except that it isn't your choice whether to play or get a free pass! And it isn't really a free pass but a qualification for playing well in the group stage. https://t.co/VSA9n61wJd
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2020
Another section of the cricketing fraternity condemned the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s policy of not allotting reserve days for knockout fixtures in marquee tournaments such as the Women’s T20 World Cup.
After an eventful Thursday, all eyes are now on Sunday, March 8, which will see finalists India and Australia locking horns for the World T20 Title, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
India defeated Australia in the opening fixture of the tournament and also topped Group A, after winning all their four matches at the group stage.
