ICC Women World T20: Playing XI Can Not be Questioned - Diana Edulji

The Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators member Diana Edulji said the playing XI of the team cannot be questioned. Indian Women’s team management had decided to drop Mithali Raj in the semifinal clash against England. Edulji said the Women in Blue had a bad at the office and one would have not said anything had India gone on to win the match.

However, it wasn’t to be the case and dropping Mithali Raj has triggered a huge controversy in Indian Women cricket. Meanwhile, Diana Edulji said it is a similar case with Krunal Pandya. The southpaw spinner was taken for runs but was able to make a solid return in the final two matches.

The Indian team had a bad day.

“I think too much is being made out of it. The management (captain Harmanpreet Kaur, coach Ramesh Powar, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and selector Sudha Shah) made the decision of not changing a winning combination and that backfired,” Edulji said.

Meanwhile, Edulji said no one would have questioned the selection had India went on to win the semifinal clash against England.

“If India had won the game, I am sure nobody would have questioned their decision. We can’t be questioning the team eleven. Another example is of Krunal Pandya, who was thrashed in the first T20 but bounced back strongly yesterday (Sunday). These things happen in the game,” she added.

Diana Edulji went on add that it was a bad day for Women team as they were not able to tick the right boxes against England. India lost the match by eight wickets.

“As I see it, it was just a bad day for India. The batting failed and when England was chasing, the dew made it tougher for the bowlers. The performance was unexpected, especially after the big win against Australia.

“I wish they had a bad game like that earlier in the competition and not in the all-important semifinal. The girls now have a New Zealand tour coming up, they must move on from this loss and work harder on their game,” she said.

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India had played at the top of their game in the four group matches as they had topped their group. However, Harmanpreet Kaur-led side could hit the straps in the all-important semifinal.