IND-W vs AUS-W: Anjum Chopra tries to console emotional Harmanpreet Kaur after T20 World Cup exit - Watch

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Cape Town, Feb 24: After yet another heartbreaking exit from the knock-out stage of an ICC event for the Indian Women's Cricket Team, former India captain Anjum Chopra tried to console Harmanpreet Kaur.

India lost to defending champions Australia by 5 runs in the first semi-final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 here on Thursday (February 23).

The Women in Blue were motoring along nicely in the big run chase of 173 against the mighty Australians - who are unbeaten in the tournament - but in a sudden twist of fate, captain Harmanpreet's untimely run-out in an unluckiest of fashion proved costly.

While taking a comfortable double, Kaur's bat got stuck just inches short of the crease and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy dislodged the bails before the batter could make it.

While former England captain Nasser Hussain - in the commentary box - called it a 'school girl' mistake from the India skipper - who is a veteran of 150 T20Is. Chopra - the Indian cricketer-turned-commentator - was seen going up to her successor and trying to comfort her even as the latter was crying inconsolably.

The emotional video was later shared by the ICC on its social media handle and while speaking about her moment with Harmanpreet, the former India batter also revealed the conversation she had with Kaur.

"My intention was to give the captain some empathy because that's all I can offer from the outside," said Chopra while interacting with presenter Sanjana Ganeshan Bumrah in a video shared by the ICC.

"It was an emotional moment for both of us, India have reached the semi-finals a lot of times and have lost a lot of times. This is not the first time I've seen her play like this, I have also seen her battling injuries and her health.

"Today she might not have even played, but because it was the semi-final of a World Cup and she is a player who does not back down, but charges ahead, she did just that," Chopra added further.

Having lost Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia early in the innings, the 69-run stand between the captain Harmanpreet (52) and Jemimah Rodrigues (43) got their team back in the game.

After Rodrigues' departure, Harmanpreet shared another crucial stand with Richa Ghosh and Meg Lanning's team was losing its foothold in the game. But Kaur's freak run-out turned the table and the defending champions found the opening to pull back into the game.

Eventually, the Indians could only reach 167 for the loss of 8 wickets and fell short of the target by 5 runs.

Even player of the match Ashleigh Gardner admitted that the Aussies didn't deserve to win the game as Harmanpreet Kaur made the big run chase look ridiculously easy.

"I think at the ten-over mark in India's batting innings, everyone had probably written us off, but I think that just shows the character within our side," Gardner said.

"That's why the best teams win in those types of positions, that's what we speak about. When our backs are up against the wall, we always try and find a way.

"Today, we probably had no right to win. At one point there, they were cruising and then we found a way to get some wickets and ultimately came out on top."