Harmanpreet Kaur declines No. 3 position in Pakistan T20 World Cup match following NZ defeat, sparking fury from Anjum Chopra live on air

Harmanpreet was the highest scorer for India, hitting a quick 15 off 14 balls at No. 3 in a disappointing 58-run loss to New Zealand. In a crucial match against Pakistan, she relinquished her No. 3 batting position as Jemimah Rodrigues came in after Smriti Mandhana was dismissed on Sunday, recognizing the importance of the game for their campaign.

While there were both sides to the conversation on Harmanpreet's move after it was revealed ahead of the start of India's World Cup campaign in the UAE, Chopra was left fuming on-air after watching Rodrigues walk in at No. 3.

She reckoned that India should have stuck with their plan, which the head coach awe-so confidently talked about in the pre-tournament presser and added that it was an ideal batting position for the captain ahead of the tall batting line-up, rather than wait for the "situation to get better."

“Very surprised that the captain has not walked in at No. 3 in a much crucial game than any in this World Cup. Specially, because India were very clear about their batting order. Harmanpreet walked in at No. 3 against New Zealand. The coach was clear that their No. 3 was unleashed in the very game and none better than her to walk in at No. 3 ahead of the tall batting line-up that India boasts off, to walk in and take command, rather than wait and wait and wait for the situation to change and unleash her strokes,” she said.

A disciplined effort from the bowlers, who had looked completely out of sorts against New Zealand, saw India reduce Pakistan to 105 for eight. Off-spinner Shreyanka Patil (2/12) and Arundhati Reddy (3/19) grabbed five wickets between them.

Following the brutal loss against New Zealand, India stand bottom of Group A with a net run rate of -2.9 and their tournament hanging in the balance. Hence, India need to beat their arch-rivals, by a heavy margin, to keep their campaign alive.