'Never thought they could win the Cup'- Anjum Chopra on Indian Women's team CWC exit

Former cricketer and veteran broadcaster Anjum Chopra believes that the Indian women's team needs to emerge from the 'legacy of poor decision-making' to become one of the world's top sides.

India's World Cup campaign ended on a heartbreaking note as they lost a must-win game against South Africa by one run to bow out of the competition in the league stage itself.

Speaking to PTI following a poor World Cup campaign, Chopra reckoned that it's not a poor on-field performance that cost the Women in Blue, but it's their inability to adapt to the conditions despite being in the country for so long and poor decision making that cost the Mithali Raj-led unit.

She said:

"It is time women's cricket emerges from legacy of poor decision making and be honest about what they want to do and how they want to do going forward. Otherwise, we will remain a near about team, we will never get there," 

"I won't say India played poorly. However, they played a few ordinary matches where they could have performed better," she added.

India played six white-ball internationals against hosts New Zealand. While they lost five out of those six games, they were still expected to be better prepared in terms of team combination and adaptability to conditions.

In this regard, Anjum was surprised at the approach of the batting unit against Pakistan and Raj's decision to bowl first against New Zealand.

Chopra added further that she never thought India was a genuine contender for the title.

"It is not just players who need to take responsibility. It is everyone, including support staff, who should take the responsibility. It is not about crucifying one person. Of course, you will always have bad days, but India was simply not consistent enough," she said.

"As a player and broadcaster, from 1997 to 2022, I have seen every final and every semifinal. I never thought they could win the Cup but expected them to make the semis," Chopra concluded.

She signed off by stating that India will remain near about side until they start focusing on the basics, including running between the wickets and fielding.

India failed to win a single game against the SENA countries in the World Cup. Their victories came against Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies.