WATCH | Harmanpreet Kaur bursts into tears after ex-captain Anjum Chopra consoles her following India's loss to Australia

Cape Town, Feb 24: An emotional Harmanpreet Kaur had to fight back tears during the post-match presentation after Australia edged past India in the first semi-final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at Cape Town on Thursday. This came after Meg Lanning's Australia entered its seventh straight Women's T20 World Cup final by defeating India by 5 runs.

  

"Can't be unluckier than this, to get that momentum back when me and Jemi were batting. And to lose after that, we didn't expect this today. The way I got run-out, can't be unluckier than that. Putting in the effort was more important. We discussed about fighting till the last ball. The result didn't go our way, but I am happy with the way we played in this tournament," Harmanpreet said who turned up for the post-match presentation in shades, perhaps not to let anyone see her teary-eyes.

 

However, the right-handed batter did her best but the deadlock broke when former India captain Anjum Chopra walked towards her and hugged her. Tears started flowing through Harmanpreet's eyes as Anjum held the Indian captain for a long time. Teammate Harleen Deol, who was not a part of the playing XI, tried her best to wipe the tears off her captain's face.

 

 

 

Chasing Australia's 172-4 in the 20-over contest, India were reduced to 28-3 before Harmanpreet and Rodrigues put up a fight for the Women In Blue. Harmanpreet played a sublime knock of 52 off 34 balls while Rodrigues chipped in with a brilliant 43 off 24 balls. With 16 needed off the last over, Harmanpreet and Co. only mustered 10 runs as the Asian giants lost the semi-final match by 5 runs. Ashleigh Gardner, who bagged two wickets and scored 31 off 18 balls, was named the Player of the Match.