2017 ICC Women’s World Cup: Mithali Raj Congratulates Her Team On A Brilliant Campaign
Jul 24, 2017 at 3:43 PM
It would have been a historic achievement had the Indian Women’s team defeated the hosts England in the final on Sunday but despite their loss, the Women in Blue has earned a lot of accolades from all over the world and the cricketing fraternity who has heaped praises on them for a sensational performance in the tournament despite not many giving them a chance prior to the event.
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Captain Mithali Raj, who was also the captain of the team during the 2005 World Cup when India quailed for the final the previous time was optimistic about her team’s chances ahead of the final and had promised to put up a good showing in the final. They bowled well to restrict England to 228 and while batting the girls looked in complete control of proceedings until a dramatic collapse saw them losing their last seven wickets for a mere 28 runs.
It was Anya Shrubsole, who started India’ slide with the wicket of Punam Raut, who looked good for a well decorated 86. Mithali Raj was run out at a crucial juncture of the game which put the Indians on the backfoot. Later on, Harmanpreet Kaur and Punam stitched a fluent partnership but their twin wickets put the brakes on the Indian batting order, as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Despite the defeat, India can hold their heads high up for the sensational show they have put up in the world event despite not being one of the favourites for it. Taking to her twitter handle, Mithali congratulated her girls who fought their heart out and gave us some memorable moments in the tournament.
She wrote,
“Proud of my team’s performance & thank all d supporters. We’ve received a lot of love & incredible support for girl’s cricket in India.”
It was indeed an inspired performance by the Women in Blue who looked sublime all through the tournament apart from a couple of losses in the group stage.
Proud of my team's performance & thank all d supporters. We've received a lot of love & incredible support for girl's cricket in 🇮🇳 #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/KDuzhuNtKp
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) July 24, 2017
They began with victories against the hosts England and followed it up with resounding wins over West Indies, Sri Lanka and Pakistan but twin losses against South Africa and Australia pushed them to the back foot, however, in the must win encounter against the Kiwis, they brought out their best performance for the quarter finals.
In the semi-final, it was Harmanpreet Kaur’s whirlwind knock of 171 of 115 deliveries which almost batted the oppositions out.