After India’s exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has said that the team lacked intent in their batting. He added that Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma were scoring at virtually a run-a-ball even though a wicket hadn’t fallen in the first nine overs as well. Notably, India were eliminated from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 after a six-wicket defeat in their final group game against Australia at Lord’s on Sunday, June 28, as well.

“This team will have to become fitter. There are many factors in fitness. It includes your ground coverage, running between the wickets, and catching, because fitness and fielding go together. Then you need the power as well to hit sixes. If you have to compete and keep getting better in T20 cricket, fitness is my prime priority, and fielding is attached to that. Those are two things you can do yourself,” Chopra said.

“A little intent will have to be shown in batting. If you leave one or two players, it seems like we are still behind. We don’t play with freedom. You lost against both Australia and South Africa because the batting let you down. The intent is not visible. Against Australia, wickets weren’t falling, but you weren’t hitting. Smriti and Shafali were going at a run-a-ball. No one was trying to hit,” he further added.

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However, Aakash Chopra also added that Jemimah Rodrigues could have been retired out earlier in the clash against Australia as well.

“Secondly, normalize retiring out. What you did on the first ball of the 20th over, you could have done that on the first ball of the 17th over. Jemi’s bat wasn’t striking the ball well. She was trying, but it wasn’t happening, so call her out. It is not a taboo topic. A bold call should have been taken,” he said.

“Thirdly, a little more potency is required in bowling. Sree Charani is outstanding. Deepti Sharma also does her job. Renuka Singh Thakur, maybe a little bit, but the others didn’t step up. So we need to search for bowlers. We are way behind in fast bowling. In spin, Shreyanka Patil’s injury didn’t really help, but the difference is there,” Aakash Chopra concluded.