The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) congratulated the Indian Women’s team on Friday after they humbled the mighty 6 time the world champions Australia by 36 runs to enter the final of the World Cup for only the 2nd time in their history. They were confident of the fact that the Mithali Raj led Indian side will come out triumphant on Sunday against hosts England and will lift their maiden World Cup trophy.
It was a brilliant effort by the Indian girls as they outclassed the Aussies in all the departments of the game. After the match was reduced to a 42 overs affair, the Indians knew that they have to bat out of their skin and set Australia a daunting target to harbour hopes of qualifying. After the loss of captain Mithali Raj’s wicket, Harmanpreet Kaur pressed on the accelerator and played one of the greatest ever World Cup including Men’s cricket as well.
She literally toyed with the Australian bowling attack and kept them smashing to different parts of Derby. It was a pure onslaught by the Punjab girl who reached her hundred in just 90 balls but here next 71 came in a mere 25 deliveries. Her unbeaten innings of 171 of 115 deliveries were decorated with 20 fours and 7 big sixes. Her blistering knock left the 6-time world champions clueless which helped India finish their allotted 42 on 282/4.
It was bound to be a tough chase and with two early wickets, the Indian pacers Shikha Pandey and Jhulan Goswami put the Aussies on the back foot. Despite valiant efforts by Elyse Villani and Alex Blackwell who scored 75 and 90 respectively, Australia couldn’t get over the line and eventually lost the battle by 36 runs.
“It was a fantastic and a well-deserved victory. The performance of the team is improving match by match. Their yesterday’s win against Australia was a marvellous win. The knock played by Harmanpreet was especially fantastic. We are very proud of the team,” BCCI acting president CK Khanna was quoted as saying by ANI.”I am confident that they are going to be champions,” he further added.
He concluded by saying that the Indian team will be rewarded for their outstanding performance in the World Cup. “BCCI would love to felicitate them and would sure announce a reward for them,” Khanna quoted.