India women booked a place in the finals of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia after their semi-final clash against England was abandoned due to rain in Sydney on Thursday. India being the toppers of Group A, qualified for the final battle in the mega tournament.
India will now meet the defending champions Australia in finals after the hosts defeated South Africa in the second semi-final game. The closing game of Women’s T20 WC will take place on Sunday at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Meanwhile, several former cricketers, current players, and commentators from different nations lashed out at International Cricket Council (ICC) for not adding the reserve day for the knockout game.
Former India women’s captain Mithali Raj felt sorry for the English women’s team and said finding oneself in such a situation isn’t good at all.
“As an Indian, I am absolutely thrilled India has made it to the finals. But as a cricketer, I feel for the English girls. I’d never want to find myself or my team in that situation. But the rules are such, and it is what it is. Congratulations girls. This is big,” tweeted Mithali.
As an indian I am absolutely thrilled india has made it to the finals . But as a cricketer I feel for the English girls . I’d never want to find myself or my team in that situation. But the rules are such and it is what it is. Congratulations girls.This is big. #INDvENG #T20WC
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) March 5, 2020
Known for his destructive batting, Virendra Sehwag, too, felt for the English team and said, “Would have loved seeing the semi-final, but one can’t win against the almighty.”
Would have loved seeing the semi-finals but Indra Devta ke aage kaun jeet sakta hai.
Mehnat ka parinaam achha milta hai. A reward for Winning all the matches in the group stage. Congratulations @BCCIWomen and wishing you glory this Sunday #T20WorldCup— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 5, 2020
Former Aussie pacer Jason Gillespie asked the reason as to why the ICC didn’t add a reserve day for the knockout stages.
“Interesting decision to not have reserve days for the semi-final stage of the Women’s World T20. Has there been a statement from the ICC as to why this is so?” tweeted Gillespie.
https://twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1235506839912992768
Steve Waugh’s brother Mark Waugh smashed the apex body for not including the reserve day and termed the decision as ‘absurd’.
Not as surprising as ICC not scheduling reserve days for finals in the biggest tournament of the year and possibly lifetime for many players. Absolutely absurd.#commonsense
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 5, 2020
Former England men’s captain Michael Vaughan expressed his anger and called the incident as a total disorder.
Vaughan tweeted: “No reserve days for World Cup semi Finals … What a shambles … !! #T20WorldCup.
No reserve days for World Cup semi Finals … What a shambles … !! #T20WorldCup
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 5, 2020
Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle opined it’s not the ideal way of reaching in the final, but he also said that topping the table gives teams an extra advantage.
“Not the ideal way of making the final, but as I said in my previous tweet, it is a reward for topping the table and playing outstanding cricket. To beat Australia and New Zealand was special,” tweeted Bhogle.
England speedster Stuart Broad simply asked ICC on Instagram why they didn’t add a reserve day as it would have made more sense.
Former Indian cricketer Hemang Badani termed ICC’s decision as an unfortunate act. He also looked surprised that teams accepted the proposals of the international apex body. Badani claimed that such things don’t happen in the men’s world cup.
“No reserve day. Two sf on the same day and two sf at the same venue. All of which do not happen in the men’s world cup. Poor from @ICC and surprised that all teams accepted it too.#INDvENG #T20WorldCup2020,” tweeted Badani.
No reserve day. Two sf on the same day and two sf at the same venue. All of which do not happen in the men's world cup. Poor from @ICC and surprised that all teams accepted it too.#INDvENG #T20WorldCup2020
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 5, 2020
