The Story
India secured their biggest ODI win by a margin of 186 runs in a must win game against New Zealand at the County Ground, Derby to advance to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. The authoritarian victory was made possible by skipper Mithali Raj and left arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
The ‘White Ferns’ skipper Suzie Bates opted to make India bat first. The decision was proved to be horrible as India set a challenging total of 265/7 after 50 overs rising in skipper Mithali Raj’s sixth ODI century and solid fifties from Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad, the left arm spinner, then ransacked New Zealand with figures of 5/15 bundling them out for just 79.
Skipper proud of her girls
For senior women like Mithali and seam Jhulan Goswami, this edition is going to be their last which makes the semi-final qualification very special. Mithali was delighted by the fashion the team made it to the last four.
“I’m extremely happy because, for a couple of us, this is going to be the last World Cup,” Raj said. “So, our first aim was to qualify for the semis.
The previous game became memorable for another reason as Mithali also made herself the first women to score 6000 runs in ODI cricket.
“I have always been happy to score runs for the country. I’ve always dreamed getting more and more runs because the hunger never dies.”
Harmanpreet back in form, Veda goes on a rampage
India lost the openers quite early but the damage was trivial as Raj forged 132 runs stand with Harmanpreet Kaur for the second wicket. Towards the end of the innings, Veda Krishnamurthy went berserk and smashed 70 off just 45 balls in the quick fire 108 runs partnership off just 78 balls.
“There were two important and crucial partnerships,” she said. “One with Harmanpreet and the other with Veda. Her contribution was really very crucial. When you’re chasing 250 plus there is always pressure. I think the bowlers did a great job.
“If you’re aiming to be in the top four teams in the world, it is very important that you come back strong after a couple of defeats. It was important for the girls to come back strong, all firing.”
Rajeshwari justifies her selection
Gayakwad, who replaced fellow left arm spinner Ekta Bisht justified her selection by bagging her first fifer. “I was happy that the team is winning. Not upset because I didn’t get a game so far. Got my chance today and happy that I delivered,” the 26-year old bowler said.
“I have been doing normal stuff, just trying to stick to my strengths. It was fun carrying drinks all along thus far. This is the best performance of my career. I always got four-fers, but never a fifer. So I would rate this as my best.”
Gloomy mood in New Zealand camp
New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates was naturally upset with her team’s performance. The entire team stood in a gloomy mood in the presentation ceremony.
“We weren’t good enough today,” Bates admitted. “India batted outstandingly well on the back of Mithali’s 100. We were nowhere good as we needed to be. We played some good games, but we really needed to stand up today. But unfortunately, we couldn’t. We started really well with the ball, but we haven’t been able to break the partnerships.
“We were expected to make the semi finals, but everyone is going to be very disappointed with the result. It was a really good batting track. We would have liked to keep them under 250. The way they finished was really great.”
India, who finished third on the points table, will now face Australia in the semifinals.