What is Isa Guha saying about India’s performance in the World Cup?

Guha

Kolkata: England Women’s team put up a stellar show in the last overs of the game to register a cunning victory from the hands of India in the finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup held at Lord’s on July 23. Chasing a modest target of 229 runs India dominated the entire game and was 191-3 at one position. However the tables turned when India lost 6 wickets in quick succession by adding only 30 odd runs. India fell short of the target by just 9 runs which made England the World Champions for 5 times.

English born, former English cricketer Isa Tara Guha of Indian origin and a Bengali was present at the Lord’s to witness her side being crowned as the champions. The right arm pacer made her career debut against India in 2002 and then retired from the game in 2011. Currently a columnist at BBC Sports, Isa Guha in an exclusive interview with www.xtratime.in correspondent Saybasachi Bagchi, shared her views on the match.

The former English cricketer thinks that it’s great victory for her side after her team put up a modest target on the board, batting first after winning the toss.

“Despite a poor performance in the field like Veda’s catch being missed and Poonam’s stumping error, England managed to win the game. The Champions luck was with England. But I also think that the Indian women’s team somehow succumbed to pressure. They lost wickets at the later portion of the match which coasted the game for them” said Guha.

“I feel sad for both Mithali and Jhulan but I can say that the cricket which India gifted us is astounding. After suffering two defeats, the team turned around and fought back against Australia is highly commendable. They even controlled the final match, but we must all remember the fight which the Indian women’s team showed. The cricket which they gifted us will remain as a brand for women’s cricket. ”

Many greats of the game have failed to win at the big stage like Brian Lara; Sourav Ganguly, AB De Villers have failed to win the World Cup. Isa thinks that not everyone achieves everything in life as these things are not in the hands of the players.

“Me being an English International would still say that credits to England for winning the game would be less, rather than India gifting the game to England. I would still say the Indian women played some inspirational cricket and would serve as an example for the upcoming cricketers” said Guha who thinks that the Indian women couldn’t handle the mental pressure of the big final.

“Jhulan is a friend of mine for a long time. Whenever I visit Kolkata I meet and chat with her. There is nothing to say about her cricket. Myself being a pacer, I have often followed her ways to keep fitness at the best. The way Jhulan played at the present moment should serve as an example for every upcoming women cricketer. Obviously she is upset about missing the crown in 2005 and now but I think the example she set for all is remarkable.”

“I wish my heartiest congratulations to the England team and I am extremely proud for them. But we will have to keep it in mind that we are not going to get opportunities like this in every game. A team like India would never give opportunities like this again which certainly raises the question about England’s performance” concluded Guha.