India controversially demoted Mithali Raj in the batting order during the World Cup Final at Lord's, a decision that many blamed for India's defeat.
The 2017 ICC Women's World Cup Final at Lord's was a watershed moment for women's cricket in India. India had been in brilliant form throughout the tournament, and expectations were sky-high. However, the team management made a baffling decision to demote Mithali Raj, India's most experienced batter and all-time leading run-scorer in women's ODIs, from her usual No. 3 position.
Mithali came in at No. 7 and scored just 17 off 21 balls as India fell 9 runs short of England's total of 228. The decision was widely criticised, with many feeling that Raj's experience and composure were exactly what was needed in a high-pressure final. Coach Tushar Arothe defended the decision, saying it was a tactical move, but it never sat well with fans or pundits.
The controversy deepened when reports emerged of tensions between Mithali and team management about her role. The decision to push India's greatest ever batter down the order in the biggest match in the history of Indian women's cricket was seen as a catastrophic tactical blunder. India had been dominant throughout the tournament, and many believed this one decision cost them the trophy.
The fallout from this final set the stage for the even bigger Mithali Raj vs Ramesh Powar controversy that erupted the following year. It also raised important questions about decision-making in high-pressure women's cricket and whether the team structures were robust enough to handle a World Cup final.
A baffling tactical decision that is widely blamed for India's defeat in the World Cup Final. No formal action was taken, but coach Tushar Arothe was later removed from his position.
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