Anjum Chopra, a former captain of India, believes that the team suffered greatly as a result of opener
Smriti Mandhana's troubles against Australian off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday, February 23.
Australia Women defeated India Women by five runs in the semifinal match at Newlands in Cape Town.
The Ladies in Blue, who were aiming to score 173, easily lost both of their openers, Mandhana (2) and Shafali Verma (9).
Jemimah Rodrigues (43 off 24) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (52) inspired the squad, although India ultimately lost.
Gardner had the upper hand in the matchup against the left-hander, whilst vice-captain of India Ladies Mandhana advanced to the semi-final on the strength of two successive fifty-plus scores.
Smriti Mandhana has been dismissed four times in T20Is, with the fourth coming in the semi-final.
How can the squad have faith in you if you consistently give in to a bowler?