Women's World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur Rues Stunning 'Lower-Order Collapse' Against Australia, Says 'Batting Woes, 6th Bowler Issue'

India vs Australia, Women's World Cup: India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur rued a stunning lower-order collapse as world champions Australia chased down a record 331 to seal a three-wicket win in the Women's World Cup here on Sunday.

At 294 for 4 with more than seven overs remaining, India looked set to cross 350, but lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs in seven overs. Annabel Sutherland ran through the Indian lower order, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul (5/40 in 9.5 overs).

"The way we started, we could have added more 30-40 runs. We missed runs in the last six overs and that cost us. It was a good batting wicket, but not batting well in the last six overs cost us," said Harmanpreet in the post-match presentation.

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Earlier, openers Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) put together 155 for the first wicket, setting the tone for India.

"Openers have been outstanding, because of them, we have been scoring 300 runs. The last five overs cost us. In the last three games we were not able to bat in the middle overs. Our lower order took responsibility," Harmanpreet said.

"Today, the first 40 overs were good. It is important how we come back, these things happen," she added.

India's five-bowlers ploy to strengthen their batting once again backfired as they failed to make any dent, with the Aussies dominating.

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Harmanpreet said they would "sit and discuss" on the strategy as they endured two back-to-back defeats, first against South Africa here on Thursday when they had failed to defend 251.

"We'll sit and discuss. This combination has given us success. Two bad games are not going to make a difference," said Harmanpreet, who was forced to do the sixth bowler's job to make up for the lack of a bowler.