Harmanpreet and Smriti devastated after India's heartbreaking loss to Australia in the dressing room

India showed real intent in their pursuit of 152 on a challenging Sharjah surface, as opener Shafali Verma launched two boundaries and a six in her quickfire 20 off just 13 balls. However, her partner Smriti Mandhana seemed to have trouble finding gaps with the new ball.

Following the fall of the third wicket, Harmanpreet combined with Deepti Sharma to rebuild the innings, and a flurry of boundaries in the half-century stand saw India slowly gain momentum in the chase. But just when the pair looked settled to take the game deep, Sophie Molineux dismissed the left-hander and Harmanpreet was once again left on her own.

India never managed to recover as Australia exposed the inexperienced lower-order at the start of the slog overs. Harmanpreet did look to keep the chase alive with her unbeaten fifty, but the knock of 47-ball 54* was not enough as India fell short by nine runs.

Following the loss, the 35-year-old was left crestfallen, having failed to take India home and guarantee a ticket to the semifinal. A sense of deja vu amid the tumbling of wickets at the other end left Harmanpreet helpless, before being engulfed by disappointment after India's loss.

Mandhana, on the other hand, was left shattered on the dressing room stairs at the sight of the successive dismissals of Deepti and Richa Ghosh, which marked the end of India's batting line-up by the start of the 17th over, while fast bowler Renuka Thakur, seated beside the vice-captain, covered her face in disbelief.

India can still make the semis from Group A if Pakistan beat New Zealand in Dubai on Monday, albeit by a small margin, but Harmanpreet admitted that while it would be great for the team to get another shot at proving critics wrong, the qualification scenario no longer remains in their control.

"Whatever was in our hands, we were trying to do that but that's something not in our control. If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there," she said in the post-match presentation.