India may have lost the ICC Women’s World Cup final to England, but they have certainly won a lot of hearts through their performance during the course of the tournament.
The women in blue fought hard to clinch the title, but eventually fell short by nine runs. England’s victory is the second narrowest win in a ICC Women’s World Cup final.
Jhulan Goswami, who stepped up during the business end of the tournament, recorded excellent figures of 3/23 to help India restrict England to a modest total of 228/7.
However, the batters failed to string partnerships during the latter part of their innings and eventually India couldn’t cross the line.
Here’s a look at the World Cup final played at Lord’s on 23 July through some interesting numbers.
Second Narrowest Win
India were in the driver’s seat, when they needed 38 runs to win from 43 balls with 7 wickets in hand. But, then the women in blue lost seven wickets for just 28 runs in 6.5 overs.
England clinched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Goswami’s Excellent Final
After England won the toss and elected to bat first, it was very important for India to restrict the home team to a modest total. It’s always difficult to chase down big totals in important matches.
India’s most experienced bowler, Jhulan Goswami, stepped up and bowled three excellent spells. In her second spell, she dismissed Sarah Taylor and Fran Wilson in consecutive deliveries in the 33rd over. The wickets turned the tide in India’s favour.
Jhulan’s Record
The 34-year-old recorded the third best bowling figures in a World Cup final. With an excellent economy rate of 2.30, Goswami ensured that she didn’t give away too many runs, alongside picking up wickets.
India’s Batting Collapse
India constructed their chase brilliantly until the 40th over. Punam Raut and Veda Krishnamurthy took the women in blue to 173/3 at the end of the 40th over.
But then, the nerves creeped in, and the Indian batters started falling like a pack of cards. They were eventually all out in the 49th over.
Jhulan Goswami – The Big Match Player
Jhulan Goswami found it difficult to find her rhythm in the first few games of the tournament. She went wicket-less in India’s first two matches against England and West Indies respectively.
But, then slowly, Goswami, started picking up wickets, and by the time the knockout stages arrived, the speedster was leading the bowling attack with much more tenacity.
Mithali Raj – Second Highest Scorer
India’s captain Mithali Raj finished the tournament as the second highest scorer with 409 runs. She had a tremendous tournament as she scored three fifties and one century in the competition.
Her best innings in the tournament was against New Zealand. She scored 109 runs off 123 balls to help India reach the semi-finals.
(Statistics: Arun Gopalakrishnan)
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