'Why no Mithali Raj' ask pundits, fans on Twitter after India lose Women's World T20 semifinal

India were knocked out of the ICC Women's World T20 they went done by 8 wickets against England in the semifinal at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at North Sound on Friday.

India, batting first after winning the toss, were bundled out for a meagre 112. England chased down the target easily with 8 wickets and 17 balls to spare. 

While England dominated India in almost every field, India made a surprise decision to leave out the experienced Mithali Raj in place of all-rounder Anuja Patil for the game.

Experts like Harsha Bhogle and Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the logic behind Mithali Raj's ommission

Can understand, if you have to, that you leave out Mithali in a 180 game. But on a tough pitch? Then you play your best players and she is that. https://t.co/n3bbSodiC6

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 23, 2018

India paid the price for two mistakes. One in planning, by dropping Mithali on this pitch. The other in execution, by rushing down the pitch to muscle the ball in front of the pitch on a very slow pitch.#ICCWWT20

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 23, 2018

Not only experts but fans also wondered why Mithali was not selected in the playing 11 in such an important match.

Sad end to a well fought tournament. Well played girls. Today might not have been our day. Unfortunately didn’t get enough runs. Missed @M_Raj03 in the team. Why wasn’t she playing?#INDvENG #ICCWWT20

— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) November 23, 2018

Experience is needed in the shorter format of the game! Be it MS DHONI in Men's Team Or Mithali Raj in Women's Team, Good form or bad form, experience counts. #MithaliRaj #INDvENG

— Dev (@ParokaDev) November 23, 2018

If you don't pick your best player in semifinals you deserve to lose. Even Captain doesn't want to regret On Mithali Raj not featuring in this Game.We played well throughout the tournament. But missing Stumping nd catches in this make England to swung the Game Around. #INDvENG

— Abhishek Chauhan (@abhiraj0014) November 23, 2018

What led to the thinking that you need to drop the best player of the side to retain the winning combination in a very important semifinals? If @M_Raj03 is fit, she should make it to the squad. No matter what's the format. #iccwwt20 @BCCIWomen

— Bapi Banerjee (@banerjee_bapi) November 23, 2018

Cannot believe how Mithali Raj was dropped. Losing out such experience wasnt a good decision.

— Ojas Arankalle (@aojas123) November 23, 2018

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur defended the decision and said that she has "no regrets" as it was decision taken keeping team's interests in mind.

"Whatever we decided, we decided for the team. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, no regrets. I'm proud of the way my girls played through the tournament," Harmanpreet said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

England will face Australia, who outclassed West Indies by 71 runs in the other semifinal, for the title on Sunday.