Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s cricket captain, seems to have developed an unwanted acquaintance with bizarre run-outs. In a cruel twist of fate, her bat became her nemesis yet again, leading to her dismissal in the first innings of the ongoing Test against England. Playing at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai, Kaur looked well-set on 49 runs when disaster struck in the final session of day one.
Facing off-spinner Charlie Dean, she defended the ball and wandered out of her crease. English wicketkeeper Danni Wyatt, with lightning reflexes, saw her opportunity and unleashed a direct hit that dislodged the bails. Replays showed that Kaur had ample time to get back in, but her bat, inexplicably, got stuck on the pitch, leaving her stranded outside the crease.
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The umpire’s finger went up, and the third umpire confirmed the dreaded decision. This uncanny dismissal eerily mirrored Kaur’s exit in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final earlier this year. Against Meg Lanning’s Australia, her bat had jammed on the pitch during a run-out, a moment that ultimately derailed India’s chase and led to a heartbreaking five-run defeat.
Dear @nassercricket
Fans in India remember when you called Harmanpreet’s run-out a ‘schoolboy error’ at the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semifinal in Capetown. Now, Harman is a repeat offender. What’s the second term for this move? Fans are curious.
#INDvENG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/UiO9rPoHqh— Indian Sports Fans. Fan Curated & Original (@IndianSportFan) December 14, 2023
Come on Harmanpreet … Again Bizarre run out for the Indian Skipper and she missed her Debut 50 by 1 run. It also happened with her in T20 World Cup SF@ImHarmanpreet#HarmanpreetKaur #INDWvENGW #WomensCricket pic.twitter.com/wMf92haoy6
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) December 14, 2023
The parallels between the two incidents are stark. Both involved the bat getting stuck, both were crucial moments in high-pressure matches, and both resulted in Kaur’s frustration boiling over. This latest run-out adds another layer of psychological burden to the talented skipper, who has been a mainstay of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade.
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However, it’s important to acknowledge the brilliance of Wyatt’s awareness and quick thinking. Her throw was pinpoint accurate, leaving Kaur with no chance. This incident also highlights the ever-present risk of run-outs in cricket, where even a split-second lapse in concentration can turn the tide of the game.
As the Test match progresses, India will hope to put this incident behind them and build a strong total. Yet, the shadow of Kaur’s bizarre dismissals will likely linger, a stark reminder of the fickle nature of the game and the mental fortitude required to overcome such setbacks.
