After fighting through qualifiers to even reach the World Cup, the Indian women managed to beat six-time winners and defending champions Australia to reach the tournament’s summit clash on Thursday.
The odds were stacked against India in the women’s World Cup semi-final, but as this team has proven time and again, they somehow find a way to finish on top.
Let’s start from late June and trace the Indian women’s team’s journey to the final against England.
1. India’s Opening Sweep
India’s first match was against hosts and two-time former champions England and clearly, India weren’t the favourites. But Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut changed that plan. A 144-run opening partnership and India had 281 on the board. The bowlers made sure India won by 35 runs
2. Four-Match Winning Streak
India’s first win started a four-match winning streak with victories over West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The match against Pakistan is one not to be forgotten easy. After scoring just 169/9 in their 50 overs, India had Ekta Bisht step up and pick a fifer. Pakistan were bowled out for 74!
3. Two Back-to-Back Losses
Then, India hit a roadblock that threatened to derail their campaign – there were two back-to-back losses, against South Africa and then Australia. But skipper Mithali Raj then showed the way. In the match against Australia she reached a personal landmark of being the highest-scorer in women’s one day cricket.
Fun Fact: The Indian team now boasts of the highest scorer and highest wicket taker in the 50-over format.
4. Must-Win Match vs NZ
Then came the must-win match against New Zealand and Mithali led the way with 109 to set a target of 265, and the bowlers rose to the occasion once again. Rajeshwari Gayakwad had a fifer and the opponents were bowled out for 79! India had reached the semi-finals.
5. Semi-Final Fight
The final four match was all about just one woman and her bat. Harmanpreet Kaur walked in at 35/2 and the rest is all a blur of numbers. She smashed a record-breaking 171 not-out off 115 balls which included 20 boundaries and 7 sixes. She scored 19 runs in the first 38 balls she faced and in the final 34 she smashed 93!
How’s that for acceleration!
Here’s hoping there’s a little more left in the tank for India – hosts England await on Sunday at the home of cricket.
(Camera: Shiv Kumar Maurya, Edit: Hitesh Singh)
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