Not Long Before India's Women Team Lifts World Cup 2017, Says Gautam Gambhir 1

Harmanpreet Kaur played arguably the best knock by a women cricketer in a World Cup as India stunned defending champions and widely touted favourites Australia by 36 runs to advance to the final of the tournament. The odds were firmly stacked against Team India before the match and it looked like Australia’s domination over the Women in Blue would continue when Mithali Raj & Co. were reeling at 101 for 3 after 25 overs. With the innings reduced to 42 overs due to rain, India’s middle-order faced a herculean task in guiding the team to a challenging total.

Not Long Before India's Women Team Lifts World Cup 2017, Says Gautam Gambhir 2
Image credits: Getty

However, Harmanpreet took the responsibility on herself and came up with one of the best knocks seen in the World Cup to blow away the Aussie bowlers. The Punjab-born batswoman initially took her time, reaching the fifty-run mark off 64 balls but hit the top gear just when the team needed it the most. As a result, she scored 49 runs off the next 26 balls to reach her hundred off just 90 balls before smashing 71 runs off the following 25 deliveries to finish on 171 off just 115 balls. The whirlwind knock was studded with a staggering 20 fours and 7 sixes as India amassed an unbelievable 139 runs in the last 11 overs. At the end of the 42 overs, India had 281 runs on board which proved to be too much for the reigning world champions despite fighting knocks from Ellyse Villani (75 off 58) and Alex Blackwell (90 off 56). Australia were bowled out for 245 in the 41st over.

And while India has proved its title-credentials with the stunning win, they will have to defeat high-flying England in the final of the tournament to lift the coveted trophy. England will certainly pose a big threat for Mithali Raj & Co. but India opener Gautam Gambhir feels it is just a matter of days before the ladies lift the trophy.

The southpaw, who is currently out of the Indian team,took to Twitter to wish the team for the outstanding performance.

“Amazing team effort from India in the #WomensWorldCup2017 Semi-final!
Not long before we get the trophy now! #WWC17,” he tweeted.