Harmanpreet laments close loss against AUS, acknowledges semi-final spot not under India's 'control': 'The target was achievable'

India suffered a heartbreaking defeat by just nine runs against Australia in their last Women's T20 World Cup group stage match in Sharjah on Sunday. Despite Harmanpreet Kaur's valiant unbeaten half-century (54*), India fell short of the target of 152 runs, finishing at 142/9 in their allotted 20 overs. The Australian bowlers, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux, stood out by taking two wickets each and played a crucial role in securing the victory for their team.

Initially, Grace Harris (40) and Ellyse Perry (32) took the Aussies to 151/8 in 20 overs. Renuka Singh and Deepti Sharma bagged two-wicket hauls respectively for India.

Speaking after the match, India captain Harmanpreet lamented her side's defeat and pointed out the key differences between both teams.

"I think their entire team contributes, they don't depend on one or two players, they have a lot of all-rounders who contribute. We also planned well and we were there in the game. They didn't give away easy runs and made it difficult. They are an experienced side," she said.

"That is something that is not in your control, you have to always keep your playing eleven ready even when one or two player misses out. Radha bowled really well, she was in the game and she was fielding well. You need a character like that in the team who is always there.

Harmanpreet also pointed out that it 'was a chaseable total', but poor shot selection contributed to India's defeat. "It was a chaseable total. When me and Deepti were batting, we couldn't hit a few loose balls. We can learn a lot from Australia. Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that but that's something not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there," she said.

In the final over, India needed 14 runs, with Harmanpreet on strike in the first ball. Meanwhile, Pooja Vastraker was at the non-striker's end. The India captain took a single off the first ball. But Sutherland struck twice in the next two balls, removing Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy. Then Harmanpreet took a single, bringing the equation down to 12 off two balls.

Calamity struck India again as Shreyanka Patil got run out and Sutherland removed Radha Yadav. In the final ball, Renuka took a single as Australia sealed a win. India's fate rests on Monday's match between Pakistan and New Zealand.