At Indore, India conceded a position of strength to lose a tight match in a global tournament for the umpteenth time. What's going wrong? Sarah Waris tries to find an answer.
As Smriti Mandhana settled into her seat for the press conference after India’s heartbreaking four-run loss to England, the familiar smile she often carried was missing. A sense of sombreness seemed to accompany her, a stark contrast to the last time I met her. Just a month ago, she had lit up the room at the Feroz Shah Kotla with her witty one-liners after becoming the fastest centurion from India - male or female. Despite the defeat, India's fightback in an over 400-chase against Australia had left her quietly confident about India’s World Cup chances.
Exactly a month later, the air felt heavier. Mandhana did not break character throughout the short press meet while being questioned about India’s third consecutive World Cup defeat.
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Match 20, India Women vs England Women
For large parts, though, it was not supposed to unravel this way. India, having opted for an extra bowler at the expense of Jemimah Rodrigues - a debate for another day - were staring at another 300-plus total when England reached 246 for 3 after 44 overs, Heather Knight leading with a masterful hundred. Yet India fought back impressively, conceding only 42 more in the last six overs, pulling things back with discipline and control.
The chase began quietly under a colourful Indore sky, preparing for Diwali celebrations the following day as more than 16,000 fans thronged the stands, hoping for an Indian win to make the festival even brighter. After a slow start that saw India reach 29 for 1 in eight overs, Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings, the crowd beginning to believe once more. Many hoped the No.18 jersey would bring joy after another star wearing the same number had disappointed earlier. The partnership flourished, and at 188 for 3, with 62 needed off 60 and seven wickets in hand, India seemed poised to get their World Cup campaign on track.
But then, it all fell apart. Mandhana, on 88, attempted a lofted shot to a wide delivery from Alice Capsey, leading to her dismissal. With Richa Ghosh still to come, it did not seem fatal, but the rhythm shifted. The boundaries dried up and the pressure crept in as India managed just 22 runs in the next 26 balls. Richa fell, Deepti Sharma’s cautious fifty ended soon after, and Amanjot Kaur and Sneh Rana struggled to find the gaps. The result, a four-run defeat out of nowhere, felt painfully familiar.
After the match, Harmanpreet admitted that Mandhana’s dismissal had turned the game. The vice-captain herself took responsibility, reflecting on her decision-making and admitting that emotion had overridden patience. “The shot wasn't needed at that time. I just needed to be more patient and not to play aerial shots. But maybe the emotions took over,” she said.
Inability to finish - a worryingly stubborn trend
The manner of defeat has been a recurring pattern. Against South Africa earlier in the tournament, India had them at 142 for 6 chasing 252, before Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 turned the match around. A few days later, they failed to defend 330 against Australia despite having them six down under 300. After that game, head coach Amol Muzumdar had addressed the issue bluntly. “According to me, the finish in a cricket game is very important. I always say this in the dressing room - we need a good start, but we need a better finish.”
Muzumdar’s words go beyond this tournament, with India’s inability to “finish well” being their defining flaw in global events. The 2017 World Cup final remains the most haunting reminder: chasing 229 against England, India were 191 for 3 before losing seven wickets for 28 runs. It could have been a win that turned around the sport in the country. Five years later, at the 2022 World Cup, Deepti Sharma thought she had sealed a semi-final spot by dismissing Mignon du Preez, only for it to be a no-ball that ended India’s campaign.
In T20Is, the heartbreaks have been just as consistent. The 2018 World T20 saw India breeze through the group stage, only to collapse against England in the semi-final when it mattered most. The 2023 semi-final followed a similar script - chasing 173 against Australia, India were 133 for 4 in the 15th over before losing four wickets for 34 runs. The 2022 Commonwealth Games final before that had the same story: chasing 162 for gold, India were 118 for 2 before another dramatic slide left them all out for 152. In 2024, well-settled Harmanpreet’s last-over single gave the tail-enders the strike with 14 needed to win against Australia. It was described as a brainfade.
What makes India falter so often?
The question that inevitably arises is why do India so consistently fail to cross the finish line? Unlike in earlier years, this is no longer a young or inexperienced side. These players have spent years in high-pressure moments, both internationally and in franchise tournaments including the Women’s Premier League, where several lead teams and perform under intense scrutiny. Yet, when the finish line appears, something shifts.
One explanation lies in India’s lack of consistent focus on mental conditioning. Unlike Australia and England, India have never had a full-time sports psychologist in their setup. Professionals have joined briefly, like during the 2022 ODI World Cup and again before the 2024 T20 World Cup, after Harmanpreet’s repeated requests, but never as a sustained presence. Managing pressure cannot be taught in short bursts; it requires steady, long-term work and trust. Mental preparation, much like shot selection or fielding drills, needs repetition.
Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath credits her sports psychologist for helping her simplify her approach and stay calm under pressure. Mandhana, too, has spoken about how the constant shuffling in the routine of an athlete can often make them feel a loss of control, something that needs to be consciously reined in. It is what India seem to lack when the heat is at its highest.
The issue is clearly not a lack of talent; for far too long, India have shown up on the grandest stage when few gave them a chance. Instead, it has been an inability to stay composed when control means the most. As Mandhana admitted, it’s not a technical lapse. She was patient against England, before instinct overrode discipline, for just a moment. Worryingly for India, those moments have been far too many, with the script barely changing from Lord’s to Indore. Till that doesn’t flip, it’ll be a story unfulfilled in Indian women's cricket.
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