Tag: tournament

Asia Cup 2023: On Loss Against Bangladesh, Rohit Sharma’s ‘Big Picture’ Clarification

Bangladesh managed to eke out an unexpected six-run win over India in an Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match.

Bangladesh beat India in their final Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 game© AFP

Rohit Sharma defended the decision to make massive changes to the playing XI after India were beaten by Bangladesh in their final Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match on Friday. India were already in the final of the tournament and for the inconsequential match, they decided to rest veteran players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj. On the other hand, youngster Tilak Varma was handed his ODI debut while Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur and Suryakumar Yadav made their way to the side. In the aftermath of the match, Rohit said that the idea was to give some game time for the cricketers and that can be important ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023.

“We wanted to give some game time to the guys, keeping the bigger picture in mind. Not compromising on how we wanted to play this game. Get in some players who are likely to play the World Cup,” he said.

Rohit was all praise for the batting performances by Shubman Gill and Axar Patel.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-2023/india-vs-bangladesh-asia-cup-2023-on-loss-against-bangladesh-rohit-sharmas-big-picture-clarification-4394441

Women’s World Cup: Heartbreak for England as Lionesses miss out on final glory after defeat to Spain

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time after defeating England’s Lionesses 1-0.

England’s Lionesses have missed out on glory at the Women’s World Cup after being beaten 1-0 by Spain.

Closely missing out on repeating their success at Euros 2022, Sarina Wiegman’s team fought to the very end at a packed-out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

But a first-half goal by Spain’s Olga Carmona, who shot across Mary Earps into the far corner in the 28th minute, broke England’s hearts.

It is Spain’s first major international trophy and makes them the first European team to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany in 2007.

England had come close to taking the lead themselves in the 15th minute when Lauren Hemp’s shot hit the bar.

A shot from England’s Lauren Hemp, right, hits the crossbar. Pic: AP
Spain’s goal by Olga Carmona

Two changes at half-time saw Lauren James and Chloe Kelly replace Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo for the Lionesses, as they tried to turn the game around.

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso then missed a chance to double her side’s lead from a penalty – granted after a handball by Keira Walsh – after a heroic save by Earps, who dived to her left to save in the 69th minute.

James then forced a save from Spain’s goalkeeper from a tight angle a few minutes later, as England pushed for an equaliser.

Earps even went up to attack a corner in the dying moments for England.

But sadly, it wasn’t to be, as the Lionesses fell short at the final hurdle.

Earps saved a Spanish penalty. Pic: AP

Play was also briefly disrupted during the first half after a protester entered the pitch before an England free kick. The man was swiftly removed by stewards.

‘Absolutely heartbroken’

Captain Millie Bright said the team were “absolutely heartbroken” at the defeat.

“We can say hand on heart we gave everything. Sometimes football goes for you, sometimes it goes against you,” she said.

Complimenting Spain as a “fantastic team” she said: “A lot of emotion… but I’m really proud of the team. To come this far, to play in the World Cup final, not many get to do that.

“This is not it for us, we’ll bounce back.”

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